LEARNING POINTS
1.   Farming is a dangerous occupation.
2.   Tractors should have ROPS and seatbelts should be used with ROPS.
3.   PTOs and rotating shafts can kill and maim if they are not kept in good repair.
4.   Children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive maturation stages must match the 
      task that they are asked to do by parents and employers.
5.   Children should not be placed in dangerous situations, (e.g. riding as a 
      passenger on tractors) and should have a safe play area on the farm/home site.

GROUP DISCUSSION
Recently a 4-year old child fell off a tractor while riding with her father and 
died after being run over by the tractor during planting.  Multiple surgeries 
were required and the child never regained consciousness after a month 
hospitalization.  The child’s mother works as a nursing assistant at the hospital.  
The usual childcare was not available that day and the child was staying at 
home with her father.  The weather had been very rainy and the fields had finally 
dried enough for the equipment to go out in the fields, two weeks later than planned.

The community is planning a fund-raiser for the family.  The child’s mother has 
not been at work and is reported to be significantly distraught.  It has been 
reported that the father has been drinking and that the marriage is strained.  
The following questions are raised regarding farm safety issues.


QUESTIONS:
1.   What resources and agencies can be consulted to collaborate on a public 
      safety message?
2.   Should this tragedy be addressed in a public discussion of farm safety and the 
      social issues that affect childcare in rural areas?  
3.   If so, what issues should be addressed? 
4.   What role does each discipline associated with the Minnesota Rural Health 
       School have in providing care and counseling in this situation?