Frames Cut Tractors Toll

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31197, 22 October 1966, Page 1

Frames Cut Tractors Toll

Tractors are the greatest causes of fatalities on farms in New Zealand. In the last five years, out of 330 deaths, 150 involved accidents with tractors, says the annual report of the National Safety Association.

In 60 per cent of the fatalities the tractor rolled and in 54 per cent of cases the fatalities occurred on practically flat country. Victims in 63 per cent of the tractor fatalities were the farmer himself or members of his family. Over the last nine years it was estimated that more than 167 farmers, farm children or farmers’ wives had been killed in tractor accidents. The safety frame was becoming more popular each year and over 400 frames

were voluntarily fitted to farm tractors last year. Authentic reports had been received in which operators’ lives were saved because the machines they were driving were fitted with frames. Although the tractor was the greatest single danger, 60 per cent of all farm accident fatalities resulted from other causes. An analysis of the 58 farm fatalities in 1965 revealed 30 involved tractors, nine were from drowning, six from machinery, four from firearms, four from animals, four from fires and chemicals, and one was listed as miscellaneous. There was a nil return from electricity. Referring to the tragic loss of children on farms, the association felt the problem was closely associated with the prevention of adult accidents and was endeavouring to educate the farmers and their wives to recognise hazards to children. The farm child, who would

later become part of the farm labour force, should also be taught at the earliest possible age to become safety conscious. Twenty children were included in the 58 fatalities reported in 1965.

A reduction in child tractor fatalities was recorded for the second year in succession and no children were drowned

in troughs or sheep dips during the year. There was, however, an increase in both fatalities and injuries caused by animals and chemicals. Publicity on precautions to be taken in both these categories was being planned by the association.