Rollover Protective Structures, Worker Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness: New York, 2011-2017

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Safety
• Public Health Interventions
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background:

• Tractor overturns are the primary cause of farm-related fatalities.
• Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) are crucial for preventing deaths during tractor rollovers.
• This study updates a prior cost-effectiveness assessment of a New York State intervention promoting ROPS retrofitting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure the cost-effectiveness of an intervention aimed at increasing the retrofitting of rollover protective structures (ROPS) on tractors.
• To evaluate the economic impact of a social marketing strategy for ROPS adoption.

Main Methods:

• Calculated cost-effectiveness by subtracting intervention costs from the economic value of averted injuries.
• Utilized published data on injury probabilities and costs associated with tractor overturns and fatalities.
• Updated a 2011 cost-effectiveness assessment using recent data.

Main Results:

• The intervention averted $6,018,742 in injury costs between 2007 and 2017, with a total program cost of $1,776,608.
• Projected future savings range from $12,136,512 to $18,924,818 over 15-25 years, depending on tractor usage duration.
• The social marketing intervention proved cost-effective in reducing injuries from tractor overturns.

Conclusions:

• The social marketing intervention for ROPS retrofitting is a cost-effective strategy for reducing tractor-related injuries and fatalities.
• The intervention demonstrates significant public health and economic benefits.
• The successful intervention model should be considered for expansion to other states to improve agricultural safety.