Farm fatality summary highlights trends, continued danger in ag

Purdue University’s annual Indiana Farm Fatality Summary reported 28 farm-related deaths in 2015, a 10 percent increase from the 2014 total of 25. However, overall trends are still declining.  Statistics were collected by the Purdue University Agricultural Safety and Health Program from news reports, Internet searches, personal interviews and reports from individuals and Extension educators.  Tractor and farm machinery accidents continue to be the most commonly reported cause of fatal injury, with overturned tractors accounting for 39 percent of deaths in 2015. All but one documented death from overturns in the past 20 years have involved tractors that were not equipped with a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS), a frame or bar that keeps the driver from being crushed if the vehicle flips or rolls over. Other causes of death in 2015 included falling from buildings or horseback, becoming pinned under equipment, being kicked or rammed by an animal, accidental smoke or chemical inhalation and drowning.