# Implementing ROPS Programs: Key Factors in OSH Evidence-Based Practice Adoption

> **NIH ALLCDC R01** · MARY IMOGENE BASSETT HOSPITAL · 2022 · $461,734

## Abstract

Project Description/Abstract
Farmers have considerably elevated rates of occupational fatality, as compared to other U.S. industries.
Although this fact alone warrants consideration, it is even more remarkable to note that the most frequent
cause of death on farms, tractor overturns, has a readily amenable solution, which is the installation of
rollover protective structures (ROPS). ROPS are commercially available and 99% effective in protecting a
tractor operator from death and injury. However, 40% of U.S. tractors lack this crucial safety technology.
Over the past decade a ROPS program model has been developed and tested in seven states. Prior
research shows us that these programs have been well received by the farm community, that they are cost-
effective and that they save lives. Given this evidence-base, it is difficult to understand why U.S. states with
the highest number of tractor overturn fatalities have still not adopted ROPS programs.
The proposed research provides an ideal opportunity to explore this question, assess the utility of media
advocacy as a catalyst for implementing OSH, evidence-based research and in the process fill in existing
gaps in OSH implementation research. This will be done by using media advocacy to establish ROPS
installation programs in several high-risk states (treatment states), while at the same time monitoring
activities in several high-risk, comparison states. The implementation process in high-risk and comparison
states will then be monitored using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Consolidated Framework
for Implementation Research. Implementation monitoring will provide valuable information on the success of
media advocacy as a strategy for implementing OSH evidence-based research. In particular, it will allow
researchers to identify key constructs that must be targeted for effective OSH program implementation.
This project addresses several NORA Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector and NORA Cross-sector
goals. These include: Intermediate Goal #2.4: Strategic Goal #3: Intermediate Goal #3.3, Action Step #3.3.4
Strategic Goal #4: Intermediate Goal #4a.2: Intermediate Goal #4.1 Numerous Outputs and Outcomes are
also expected and include: Outputs-publications, presentations/posters, investigator career development,
databases, website, tools, promotional materials; Intermediate Outcomes-citations in the literature, adoption
of technologies, partnerships, programs, R2P methods; and End Outcomes-reductions in fatalities and
injuries.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10413801
- **Project number:** 5R01OH011668-03
- **Recipient organization:** MARY IMOGENE BASSETT HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Julie Ann Sorensen
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $461,734
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10413801

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10413801, Implementing ROPS Programs: Key Factors in OSH Evidence-Based Practice Adoption (5R01OH011668-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10413801. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*