ZEROING IN ON TRACTOR ACCIDENTS

Farm tractors are involved in one-fourth of all farm machinery accidents. Most accidents occurs between April and October, with June being the peak accident month. Sunday is usually a day of rest and when the fewest tractor accidents occur. Saturday and Wednesday, on the other hand, are peak days for work and for tractor accidents. Keep in mind that tractor accidents can and do occur on any day of the week, usually when they are least expected.

Over half of the tractor-related deaths result from overturns. Most go over sideways; some go backward. Chances of survival are better if your tractor is equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and seat belt. Fatal accidents involving operators or extra riders falling from tractors are second-highest in occurrence.

ZEROING ON WAGON ACCIDENTS

Wagons are almost as common as tractors on U.S. farms and are involved in a significant number of farm machinery accidents.

Half of the victims of wagon accidents are injured in falls, and four out of five wagon-related injuries occur between June and October.

ZEROING ON ELEVATOR ACCIDENTS

Farm elevators have one of the highest accident rates per hour of farm machinery use. Most people who are injured in elevator accidents suffer crushing injuries or have some part of their body severed. Almost half of the accidents involve getting caught in moving parts, and nearly three-quarters of these injuries involve fingers or hands.

ZEROING IN ON COMBINE ACCIDENTS

Half of the reported combine-related injuries occur in the field. Fingers are lost in 38% of these injuries, and most of these fingers are cut off when caught in or between moving parts.