Child Fatalities in Tractor-Related Accidents in Rural Iceland, 1918-2024: A Historical Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Safety
• Pediatric Occupational Health
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Children on farms are at significant risk of fatal injuries, with tractors being a major hazard.
• Tractor-related fatalities among children in agriculture have been a persistent concern globally.
• Understanding historical trends and contributing factors is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze child involvement in fatal tractor accidents in Iceland (1918-2024).
• To explore adult perspectives on childhood tractor use and safety.
• To examine parliamentary debates regarding minimum age for off-road tractor driving.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of parliamentary debates on tractor legislation.
• Review of newspaper archives and supplementary sources for fatal tractor accidents.
• Conducting narrative interviews with former child farm workers.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of 81 tractor accidents involved children, predominantly boys, with 75% occurring between 1958-1988.
• Child fatality incidence rate was over four times higher than for adults during the period without a minimum driving age.
• Arguments against age limits included child labor needs and perceived superior child driving skills.

Conclusions:

• No child fatalities involving tractor driving have occurred since 1988, coinciding with legislative changes.
• A human-centered approach focusing on working conditions, driver competence, and safety adherence is vital.
• Establishing and enforcing legal frameworks is essential for preventing future child tractor-related accidents.