Agricultural production one of Indiana's most hazardous occupations

Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program released the annual Indiana Farm Fatality Summary with Historical Overview, coinciding with National Farm Safety and Health Week, which has been observed the third week of September since 1944. The program reported 34 work-related, on-farm deaths in the state in 2018.

Since data collection began in 1970, annual fatalities have been on the decline, averaging 27.2 over the past ten years. The average age of documented 2018 victims was 48.6 years with four being under the age of 18, and 16 people being age 60 or older.

“The fatality data continues to show a general downward trend that parallels the decline in the number of farm operations, which has likely contributed more to the reduction in farm-related fatalities than any other single factor,” the report states.

“While it is encouraging that the overall work-related on-farm deaths continues to decline, this report emphasizes that farm safety is still a relevant issue and corroborates with the Indiana Department of Labor that classified agriculture as one of Indiana’s most hazardous occupations,” said Bill Field, a Purdue professor of agriculture and biological engineering and Extension safety specialist.

Of the total number of fatalities, 44% were tractor-related incidents, representing the fourth-highest annual number for the past 25 years.

“The industry has seen a bloom of small farms, possibly resulting in more tractor related accidents,” Field said. “Small farms often use older, less safe machinery and are exposed to more hazards compared to larger operations using newer machinery with advanced safety precautions.”

As many prepare for a possibly challenging harvest, Field cautions farmers to have realistic expectations for the machinery and people working in the fields. He also warned of a higher potential for grain entrapment this year as farmers remove crop from storage that may have been too wet to store properly last harvest.

The program has monitored farm-related fatalities in Indiana for nearly 60 years using sources including news reports, web searches, personal interviews and voluntary reporting from extension educators and individuals.

The full report is available at: www.inprepared.org.

Featured Stories

U.S. Department of Energy taps Purdue Extension to lead new Indiana collaborative for renewable energy

A developer approaches a local plan commission, seeking approval to locate a wind or solar farm...

Family gift supports Purdue Extension and Indiana 4-H

Brothers Ronald Kent and John Kristopher Taylor shared a love of the outdoors and the...

Elevating Community Impact: Purdue Day of Giving Empowers County Initiatives

As Purdue University gears up for the exhilarating 24-hour online extravaganza, numerous Purdue...

Citi-Sci: Gardening for Science!’ experiment focuses on gardening preferences and effects on mental health, seeks participants

Gardeners at any level are invited to join Purdue University Extension, the University of...

Purdue University students walking under blossoming trees

Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities

Purdue Extension’s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities...

High school students explore food science during 4-H Academy on Purdue University’s campus through hands-on activities led by faculty members and researchers.

Indiana 4-H participates in regional study focused on developing a 21st-century agriculture workforce

Indiana 4-H is seeking input from food, agriculture, forestry and related employers about current...