Fewer Deaths On Farms

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30951, 6 January 1966, Page 3

Fewer Deaths On Farms

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 5. Fewer fatal accidents occurred on farms in 1965 than in any year since 1956. Mr J. C. Warren, farm safety organiser of the

National Safety Association, said today that the provisional total was 58 deaths—six fewer than in 1964.

The major reduction last year was in the tractor accidents —28 lives lost compared with 34 in 1964.

Farm fatalities resulting from drowning (eight), fire and chemicals (four), and miscellaneous (three) were the same as in 1964. The only increase was in deaths associated with animals, where the figure rose from three to four. An assessment of farm death averages over the 10-year period shows that the figures last year compared very favourably with the average over a 10-year period, with only three categories above the average, said Mr Warren.

Firearm fatalities comprised one category, Mr Warren said. The other two concerned children under the age of 14. Child deaths through accidents with animals increased by 100 per cent over the 10year average and the child death rate through chemicals rose by 36 per cent. Deaths were only part of the story, Mr Warren said. The latest figures showed that 949 farm accident cases were admitted to hospital during 12 months. Tractor accidents caused 193 of these, machinery accidents 153, and accidents in-

volving animals, falls, poisons and firearms 601. One-third of all cases admitted to hospitals, and more than half of the child admissions, were caused by accidents involving animals. It was a welcome change to be able to report reductions in the number of accident fatalities, Mr Warren said.

But the figures were still far too high, he said. Farmers could reduce them further if simple rules of safety were observed.