Narrative text analysis of Kentucky tractor fatality reports

Narrative information in fatality investigation reports contains data elements not routinely analyzed with coded occupational injury surveillance data. A narrative text analysis of 69 Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) agricultural tractor fatality reports from 1994 to 2004 was performed. The FACE reports were developed using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Safety Research-recommended FACE report format that incorporates Haddon's matrix. Haddon's matrix separates the fatal incident into three event phases and is used to develop points of intervention based on human, organizational, and environmental factors. A multivariate logistic regression analysis for association between identified exposure variables and the outcomes of interest was undertaken. The operation of a tractor with an attached bucket, muddy terrain, and being thrown from the tractor were independent risk factors for being declared "dead at the scene". A tractor rollover and operation of a tractor on a slope were independent risk factors for being "crushed" by a tractor. Narrative text analysis of FACE fatality investigation reports is a valuable tool for the identification of additional factors contributing to tractor fatalities that can inform farm safety training, identify new areas for agricultural interventions, and support the development of new agricultural engineering strategies.