Preventing Deaths and Injuries
Contents:
Introduction
Overturns
Runovers
Entanglements
Collisions
Child Injuries
Tractor Safety Resources

Most farmers know the dangers, but changing old habits or installing a roll bar is another matter. US tractor manufacturers recognized the problem, and in 1986 voluntarily began to put roll bars on US-sold tractors over 20 horsepower. Unfortunately, there are many older tractors and off-market tractors that still do not have roll bars. Half the farm tractors in use today are missing roll bars. 

Safety Solutions
1. Use the right equipment for the job (See the stump pulling story)
2. Ensure tractors are equipped with a roll bar and seatbelts:
         If you need to retrofit your tractor with roll bars, talk to your dealer or use this guide
         A Guide to Agricultural Rollover Protective Structures
3. Use seatbelts on roll bar-equipped tractors

Runovers
Runovers cause about 60 deaths a year—almost 90% are children under 15. These tragedies occur when someone falls off a moving tractor or starts the tractor in gear while standing on the ground.  People nearby are also run over when the operator can’t see them.

Safety Solutions
1. No extra riders
2. Keep children and others away from work area
3. Keep bypass shields on starters and electrical systems in good working order
4. Start engine from operator’s seat and avoid bypass starting
5. Shut down equipment, turn off engine, remove key and wait for moving parts to stop before getting off the tractor
6. Use ROPS and seatbelts to prevent falls or being ejected from the tractor
7. Consider adding a safe tractor access platform to the tractor

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Entanglements
Power take-off (PTO) drivelines are responsible for about 10 deaths annually—not including deaths related to the tractor attachments.  Machine shields or guards that cover the PTO drivelines are often damaged or removed for maintenance or “convenience.” This inconvenience does not compare with the consequences of death or injury.  (See “Teen” story)

Safety Solutions
1. Properly maintain machine guards on power take-off (PTO) drivelines and equipment
2 . Shut down equipment, turn off engine, re move key and wait for moving parts to stop before getting off the equipment

Collisions
Tractor—motor vehicle/train collisions cause around 50 tractor driver deaths each year. This does not include the drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved in the collision. Collisions frequently happen when drivers come upon slow-moving or turning farm equipment as they round a hill and cannot stop in time or when they attempt to pass slow-moving or turning equipment.

Child Injuries
Annually, more than 100 children are killed and 26,000 seriously injured on US farms. Tractors are responsible for 41% of the accidental farm deaths of children under 15, yet 4 out of 5 farm children regularly ride tractors with family members. Farm life is wonderful for families and having a ride on the tractor with parents, or grandparents, is considered part of the farming tradition. The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) understands the risks and has taken a “tough love” approach, stating that it is never okay for a child younger than 12 to be on a tractor.

Remember, it’s easier to bury a tradition than a child.

Safety Solutions
1. No children younger than 12 on a tractor
2. No extra riders
3. Keep children away from work area

Tractor Safety Resources
Guides and Checklists
Training
Family & Farm Safety

Safety information on this page taken from:
        Tractor Safety Initiative (pdf)
        National Safety Council, http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/agritrac.htm
        The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network, http://www.childagsafety.org
        Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention (SHARP), Farm Tractor Hazards (pdf)