PROGRESS BEING MADE IN TRAGTOR SAFETY

Press, 2 September 1977, Page 16

PROGRESS BEING MADE IN TRAGTOR SAFETY

To anyone who has been connected with , the effort to reduce the number of tractor j deaths on farms, the decline in the total last i year must be a very satisfying result, says Mr I G. R. Robson, senior safety advisor of the i Accident Compensation Commission.

“Not since 1956 has the total been so low.” he says, “and at that time the number of tractors in use on New Zealand farms was very much less than it is today.” In 1971 there was a very high total of 37 deaths and since then the number has steadily declined. Last sear’s figure represents a 54 per cent reduction on the 1971 total, reflecting a very good trend over the five-year period. The fact that this decline has coincided with the increased use of safety frames and an intensive education programme cannot be ignored. But during the five-year period there has been an increase in deaths in the “ran over.” "fell off” and "equipment” categories. And had there been no reduction in the “rollover” and “somersault” categories during this period the annual death rate would have been soaring, possibly to the 50 mark. It is a fact that the decreases have occurred in the categories where the safety frame could affect the result. On the other hand, death due to drivers falling off or being run over, etc., have either remained static or increased, thereby becoming an increasing proportion of the total. Two years ago the comment was made that the intervention of safety equipment was having a greater effect than an increase in driver awareness. There are signs now that more tractor drivers are becoming aware of the hazards involved, and are taking more positive steps to drive and operate their equipment safely.

Once again, investigating officers at the scene of the accidents, made the comment that had a safety frame been fitted to the tractor concerned, the driver would have had a good chance of survival.

In several cases drivers were forcibly thrown from their machines and it is

now evident that an investigation should be made into the pros and cons of the use of some sort of seat belt where a safety frame u fitted. On the other hand there was a case where a driver, who was working a machine which was not fitted with a frame, was strapped in. When this tractor began what was to be a multiple rollover, this driver had no chance of bailing out. Plainly, there are disadvantages in being strapped in if the machine is not fitted with a safety

frame. Unfortunately there is still ample evidence that the rural community needs to be made more aware of one particular hazard area,

says Mr Robson. This concerns the practice of allowing young children to ride on or drive tractors and farm equipment. The record for 1976 is a sad commentary on adult attitudes to the safety and wellbeing of children. In the total death rate, five children were killed by tractors or implements last year. In four of the cases, the children were riding as passengers on tractors or equipment. In each case there was more than one passenger, and in two cases the circumstances could be described as

"completely irresponsible” as far as the driver of the machine was concerned. That the authorities considered it necessary to prosecute one of these drivers, makes it obvious that they too considered the situation very seriously. The amazing part about both of these cases was that each one did not result in a multiple fatality.

Experience has shown that when mothers are brought face to face with the dreadful consequences of the uncontrolled mixing of children and machinery, invariably they are shocked and astonished that such things can and do happen. Mainly it is a lack of awareness of the likely fate of their own children that contributes to some of the apathy. Many mothers and children have been known to change their habits and shun contact with tractors and machinery, when the fate of over 100 children since 1949 is brought home to them.

There is ample room for education in this quarter — education rather than legislation. To admit that a hazard exists, is not to admit the realisation that this hazard can quickly affect your own children. A calm appraisal of the history of child safety over the last 25 years in this country will convince most parents that there can be only one answer to this problem: keep children off tractors and machinery. There are many factors which influence the final total of farm tractor deaths in any given year. For this reason it would be foolissh to suggest that because of last year’s good result w e have solved all our problems in this field and can look forward to a further continuing reduction. It would be better to look at 1976 as a challenge. This has been achieved once, so a continuing effort must be mounted to hold the valuable ground that has been gained. Attention must be directed increasingly to the following points:—

The increased use of available protective equipment.

Making all drivers more aware of hazard areas, particularly those which contribute to the “repetitive” accidents.

Make parents and children more aware of their likely fate if they ride or drive farm machinery. A safety programme along these lines will help tremendously to maintain the favourable trend which is now developing.