Fodder-cutter machines are used everyday by farmers and their families in India for preparation
of fodder for the livestock they own. An epidemiological study done in north India
showed that all age groups sustain fodder-cutter injuries while operating the machine. More
than 45 and 64% of the victims were children below 15 years of age in Phase I and II. The
injuries led to a large number of limb amputations [43 cases (80%)] among the persons operating
the machine or playing with the machine taking treatments in the study area hospitals.
A detailed study of injuries and machine characteristics resulted in a safer fodder-cutter
design. The design changes are cost effective and can be incorporated,in both existing and new
fodder-cutter machines. This paper reports the process of the community-based study and the
safer design features of fodder-cutter machine.