Virtual reality for public health: a study on a VR intervention to enhance occupational injury prevention.

BACKGROUND: Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in the USA. Especially, tractor rollover incidents are the leading cause of farming-related injuries or deaths. This study examines the effect of a VR intervention (Virtual Reality Intervention for Safety Education; VRISE) on behavioral intentions for occupational safety and identifies a psychological mechanism that shows how the immersive technology works. METHODS: VRISE was developed by a multidisciplinary team of agricultural educators, computer scientists and communication specialists. It was designed to provide a virtual environment where users practice tractor operation and try to avoid several rollover hazards. The participants (291 high school students) were recruited at the 2019 National Future Farmers Association Convention & Expo and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: two different types of control groups (Control1: No treatment group and Control2: 2D Screen group) and the treatment group. RESULTS: Findings show that, through the immersive VR experience, the VR intervention enhanced perceived threat of tractor-related accidents which in turn, led to improved behavioral intentions for tractor safety. CONCLUSIONS: Findings shed light on the effectiveness of a VR intervention to improve public health outcomes, especially in occupational safety education, where unsafe practices often result in injury and fatality.

Editorial: Response to "ROPS Are Not Homemade".

We are writing in response to the editorial "ROPS Are Not Homemade" by W. E. Field, R. Tormoehlen, S. Ehlers, C. Cheng, A. Talbert, G. Deboy, D. Haberlin, and C. V. Schwab, which was published in the July 2019 issue of the Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health (Field et al., 2019). The editorial warns secondary school teachers and FFA advisors about the potential liability of fabricating and installing low-cost rollover protective structures (ROPS) as service learning projects for agricultural education students. The apparent intent of the editorial is to discourage teachers and advisors from carrying out such projects. We wish to present arguments as to why these are actually highly beneficial projects to undertake, and perhaps one of our best hopes for significantly reducing the number of tractor overturn injuries and fatalities by directly involving our nation's youth.

Occupational Exposure Risk for Swine Workers in Confined Housing Facilities.

In an effort to change unsafe tractor operating behaviors among Appalachian youth resulting from practices and habits learned through a socialization process (termed an "apprenticeship of observation"), this study implemented a four-part intervention in high school agricultural education classes that included implementation of a cost-effective rollover protective structure (CROPS) curriculum. The curriculum included farm safety information, specific NIOSH plans for CROPS construction, and procedures for CROPS installation on unprotected tractors. In this exploratory study, pre- and post-assessments were conducted using theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs to measure changes in four factors that influence changes in learner behavior: learner attitude, perceived social norms, behavioral control, and perceived behavioral intention. Students' perceived knowledge and skills gained through the intervention were also measured because they are integral components in assessing the effectiveness of a curriculum intervention. Participants (N = 83) were high school students from seven schools in three states in the Appalachian region. Findings revealed statistically significant differences in student attitudes toward the use of life-saving CROPS and in perceived knowledge and skills gained through the curriculum implementation. The CROPS curriculum can be an effective intervention effort for addressing the social and behavioral effects of farm youths' apprenticeships of observation by creating more positive attitudes and learning outcomes among youth at risk for tractor rollover fatalities. Recommendations are provided for expanding the applications of the curriculum intervention and the TPB constructs.

Integrating Cost-effective Rollover Protective Structure Installation in High School Agricultural Mechanics: A Feasibility Study.

This study with three Appalachian county agricultural education programs examined the feasibility, effectiveness, and impact of integrating a cost-effective rollover protective structure (CROPS) project into high school agricultural mechanics classes. The project aimed to (1) reduce the exposure to tractor overturn hazards in three rural counties through the installation of CROPS on seven tractors within the Cumberland Plateau in the east region; (2) increase awareness in the targeted rural communities of cost-effective ROPS designs developed by the National Institution for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to encourage ROPS installations that decrease the costs of a retrofit; (3) test the feasibility of integration of CROPS construction and installations procedures into the required agricultural mechanics classes in these agricultural education programs; and (4) explore barriers to the implementation of this project in high school agricultural education programs. Eighty-two rural students and three agricultural educators participated in assembly and installation instruction. Data included hazard exposure demographic data, knowledge and awareness of CROPS plans, and pre-post knowledge of construction and assessment of final CROPS installation. Findings demonstrated the feasibility and utility of a CROPS education program in a professionally supervised secondary educational setting. The project promoted farm safety and awareness of availability and interest in the NIOSH Cost-effective ROPS plans. Seven CROPS were constructed and installed. New curriculum and knowledge measures also resulted from the work. Lessons learned and recommendations for a phase 2 implementation and further research are included.