Tractor deaths fall but still concern

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33928, 22 August 1975, Page 7

Tractor deaths fall but still concern

For the third year in succession there has been a reduction in farm tractor deaths in New Zealand. From the high point reached in 1971 we have been able to record each year a reduction in the total until now the number of deaths has dropped to 23. This is the lowest figure that has been recorded since 1962, when there were 15,000 few er farm tractors than there are now.

However, an examination of the categories under which these deaths have occurred shows there are no grounds for complacency. With wheel tractors. nine of the 19 machines involved either rolled over or somersaulted. The other 10 deaths resulted when the driver was either run over, caught in a power-take-off shaft or crushed by hydraulics.

The percentages in these categories are interesting when compared with 1969. which we considered on past experience to be an aserage year:— Deaths due to roll-overs or somersaults: 46 per cent, 1974; 79 per cent, 1969. Deaths due to other causes: 54 per cent, 1974; 21 per cent, 1969.

We have stated during the past few years that the fitting of safety frames was having a significant impact on the level of deaths and injuries in farm tractor accidents. Through our Armadillo Club and our reports of accidents there is ample evidence to back this up. From consideration of the above figures it becomes even more apparent that the reduction in the death rate may not be brought about by safer driving or better working practices,, but rather by the intervention

of a piece of protective equipment. In simple terms, a safety frame can help a tractor driver if his tractor rolls over or capsizes. It cannot protect him if he is careless enough to be run over or become entangled in a power-take-off shaft.

It is in this field of rollovers and somersaults where we have seen- the dramatic reduction — from 26 in 1969 to 13 in 1974. In the same year the death rate from other causes rose from seven to 10.

Plainly there must be a greater awareness amongst tractor operators of just how dangerous their machines and attached equipment are. Most of the cases of people being run over occur because of ignorance of rudimentary safety principles. Operators should be well aware of just how dangerous unguarded p.t.o. shafts are. Hydraulic equipment can be a greater labour and timesaver. but if not treated with respect it can also kill. The problem areas dealt with in the previous two years remained in 1974. Accidents originating on Toads or tracks are still more than 59 per cent of the total. Tractors ran over another five people, three of whom were children. Two of these children were riding as passengers on the tractors, and in one case there was another younger child who could also have paid with his life for the risks his mother was prepared to take.

Children accounted for seven of the deaths, four of whom were young people

who really would not appreciate the dangers they were being exposed to by the adults present. While we are understandably pleased with further reductions in the tractor death rate, this pleasure has to be tempered with concern. The trends outlined above give no grounds for complacency. The National Safety Association believes that much more work is required to make drivers more aware of the hazards they face every time they mount their tractors.

The accompanying review ef fatal tractor accidents last year has been written by G. R. R-'bson. farm safety adviser of the National Safety Association of New Zealand.