A Bottom-Up Approach to Tractor Safety: Improving the Handling of Foldable Roll-Over Protective Structures (FROPS) Through User-Centred Design

Vigoroso, Lucia; Caffaro, Federica; Cremasco, Margherita Micheletti; Giustetto, Ambra; Paletto, Giuseppe; Cavallo, Eugenio

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39299-4_70

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The participant’s position to operate the FROPS was selected based on results from previous studies, since the mock-ups referred to a standard tractor [ 5 ] where no standardized ergonomic requirements exist [ 39 ], unlike for narrow-track tractors [ 3 , 4 ]. In particular, the conventional FROPS was lowered (Task 1) while standing near the operator’s seat, following the behavior observed by Caffaro et al [ 14 ] and Micheletti Cremasco et al [ 23 ], while the enhanced FROPS was lowered (Task 3) while standing on the back of the tractor based on the spontaneous behavioral strategies adopted by farmers to overcome reachability issues, as observed by Vigoroso et al [ 24 ]. For the FROPS-raising operation (Task 2 and Task 4), the participants could keep their feet on the ground or use some parts of the tractor as a support for the feet, based on the behaviors observed by Micheletti Cremasco et al [ 23 ] in their field study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Although the rod and gas spring design could be further improved, the solution is promising, and many positive considerations arose. First, all the UCD phases allowed for highlighting criticalities in the current FROPS handling methods, identifying the mechanisms which could be useful for developing the new design solution [ 14 , 24 ]. The proposed handling system could be considered a good design solution, since it has been proven to be intuitive and easy to use [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this latter case, they were instructed to maintain a three-point contact with the machine while handling the FROPS, in accordance with the health and safety regulations [ 40 ]. Furthermore, to ensure the participants’ safety, aside from providing a larger flat surface for the feet compared with the one usually available on a real tractor (see [ 24 ]), they were also observed by a technician who was ready to intervene in case any problems arose. To account for possible habituation or learning effects, half of the participants were randomly selected to operate the conventional FROPS first, while the remaining half operated the enhanced FROPS first.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies reported that some parts of the tractors (i.e., the lower links of the rear three-point linkage and the power take-off protection) were used by the operators as a stand to reach and operate the FROPS and that the operators adopted asymmetrical postures while carrying out the operation. In addition, Vigoroso et al [ 24 ] pointed out that some farmers used an additional element fitted on the FROPS, such as the mirror shaft, to overcome the reachability issue and to facilitate FROPS raising and lowering operations. Previous studies [ 25 , 26 ] pointed out that when engineers design a product, they often adopt different perspectives from those of the final users for whom they design it, and their motivation does not usually come from a specific personal problem to be solved.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Improving Tractor Safety: A Comparison between the Usability of a Conventional and Enhanced Rear-Mounted Foldable ROPS (FROPS)

Vigoroso

Caffaro

Cremasco

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

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Tractor rollover is the main cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries in agriculture. The foldable rollover protective structure (FROPS) can help to prevent these injuries. However, in many cases, the FROPS is left in a folded-down position. Human factor and rear-mounted FROPS technical characteristics influence operators’ behavior in roll-bar handling. To improve the FROPS’s comfortable use, the prototype of an enhanced handling system was developed, and its usability was tested and compared with a conventional FROPS. Usability was assessed with 93 novice tractor users through an ad hoc questionnaire (investigating perceived effort, time demand, the posture adopted and satisfaction) and observations (investigating effectiveness and efficiency) during lowering and raising tasks. For both tasks, the participants perceived significantly less effort, less physical discomfort, a higher level of satisfaction and less time demand while operating the enhanced FROPS. Observations showed that the critical issues that emerged for the conventional FROPS were eliminated by adopting the developed and implemented handling system. The developed handling system showed itself to be usable and effective in making the FROPS easier and safer to be operated.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Improving Tractor Safety: A Comparison between the Usability of a Conventional and Enhanced Rear-Mounted Foldable ROPS (FROPS)

Vigoroso

Caffaro

Cremasco

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…They brought to light that a proper definition of the force (torque) limits is related to both the ease of access to the FROPS grasping area and to the tractor geometry, while OECD Codes do not take into account that increasing the mass and dimensions of the tractor, the operator's required efforts for lowering/raising the FROPS increase not only because of the heavier FROPS but also for the uncomfortable zone for these operations. Similarly, Vigoroso et al [32], analyzing the main criticalities in handling rear-mounted FROPS by means of the involvement of a group of users, highlighted the necessity of providing human-centered solutions capable of reducing the effort and stress of operators to avoid FROPS misuse while working. Moreover, it is worth underlining that the above force limits and the related criteria for the FROPS lowering/raising grasping areas are addressed to two types of tractor-ROPS' configurations only: the front FROPS on wheeled narrow-track tractors (OECD Code no.…”

Section: Background Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Machinery Safety and Ergonomics: A Case Study Research to Augment Agricultural Tracklaying Tractors’ Safety and Usability

Gattamelata

Vita

Fargnoli

2021

IJERPH

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Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in agricultural activities is an issue of major concern worldwide notwithstanding the ever stricter regulations issued in this sector. In particular, most accidents are related to the use of tractors and the main causes of this phenomenon are due to the lack of rollover protective structures (ROPSs). This happens especially when tractors are used in particular in-field operations that are characterized by limited clearances between tractor and crop rows so that farmers usually use tractors without ROPS (e.g., dismounting it). To solve such a problem, foldable protective structures (FROPSs) have been proposed, which should augment the operator’s protection. However, FROPS’s conventional solutions underestimate the operators’ risk-taking behavior and the widespread misuse of FROPS due to the efforts needed to operate it. The current study aims at contributing to the improvement of the latter issue proposing the development of a novel approach for the implementation of partial assistance systems (PASs) that can reduce the physical effort of the operator when raising/lowering the FROPS. The proposed methodology, which is based on a reverse engineering approach, was verified by means of a practical case study on a tracklaying tractor. Results achieved can contribute to expanding knowledge on technical solutions aimed at improving the human-machinery interaction in the agricultural sector.

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Scientific Model Development for Machinery Safety using Machine Reliability, Integrity and Availability

Nesan¹,

Buang²,

Kaniapan³

et al. 2022

Int J Occup Saf Health

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Introduction: Machines are equipment that increases productivity and efficiency in a workplace. Machine Reliability, Integrity, and Availability are the most critical factors to ensure machinery safety in a workplace. Methods: Throughout this study, a series of reviews of previous literature are described in relation to the elements of reliability, integrity and availability. This study examines the methods used to investigate levels of each element as well as the results of performing the analysis. Each review is chosen from the aspect of the safety feature that can be interpreted from the research study. A scientific model that utilizes an improved Bottom-up Approach is proposed to further improve the worker's safety and enhance the productivity of an industry. Results: Research shows that the chosen reviews have positive and negative change towards the level of machinery safety and a more substantial approach is needed to further strengthen the issue. The proposed model combines the effort of employee and various management organization as a team. The model is validated using Bias- Variance Trade off method that analyses the proposed model in a 27MW power plant with a selection of employee and management. Conclusion: Model validation proves that the proposed model is an effective method to increase the machinery reliability, integrity and availability in a workplace. The scientific methodology provided will help management as a team to avert mechanical accidents from occurring at an initial stage.

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A Bottom-Up Approach to Tractor Safety: Improving the Handling of Foldable Roll-Over Protective Structures (FROPS) Through User-Centred Design

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Improving Tractor Safety: A Comparison between the Usability of a Conventional and Enhanced Rear-Mounted Foldable ROPS (FROPS)

Improving Tractor Safety: A Comparison between the Usability of a Conventional and Enhanced Rear-Mounted Foldable ROPS (FROPS)

Machinery Safety and Ergonomics: A Case Study Research to Augment Agricultural Tracklaying Tractors’ Safety and Usability

Scientific Model Development for Machinery Safety using Machine Reliability, Integrity and Availability

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