Japanese Journal of Farm Work Research

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This study investigated recent potato harvester accident data to analyze the causes, occurred location of the potato harvester, accident condition, and worker damage because potato harvesters were ranked the fourth highest number among agricultural accidents in Hokkaido. Crushed accidents (crushed between two objects) and caught-in accidents (caught by moving or rotating parts) occupied approximately 60% of 784 cases. Also, 44% of crushed cases and 63% of caught-in cases occurred on rotating parts such as rollers and conveyors. In addition, 31% of crushed cases and 42% of caught-in cases in the rotating parts occurred when workers tried to remove foreign objects, such as stems, clods, and stones, without stopping the engine in the harvester. These data suggest the following protective measures to reduce the crushed and caught-in accidents occurred on rotating parts; (1) automatic sorting, (2) machine structures that minimize accumulation of foreign materials, (3) emergency stop devices that accommodate multiple operators, (4) pause or power reduction by detecting workers’ approach to hazardous sources, and (5) reduction of foreign materials.

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