COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Farm Fatality Summary conducted by Purdue University shows 2015 farm fatalities were up 10 percent from 2014.
Tractor and machinery accidents caused the most fatalities, followed by falls, and being pinned and rammed or kicked by animals. Overturned tractor accidents were cited in 39 percent of the 28 farm-related deaths.
Even though there was an increase the last 12 months, the report says farm fatalities have steadily declined since 1970 because of better safety practices, safer equipment and fewer people working on farms. The number of Indiana fatalities is below the national average.
“Achieving zero incidents may be an unrealistic goal, but the record clearly shows that the problem is diminishing, however slowly,” said Purdue Extension safety specialist Bill Field and graduate research assistant Yuan-Hsin Cheng in the report. “Many tragic incidents have been prevented during the same time as Indiana farmers have become more productive and efficient than at any time in history.”
