News

Indiana farm fatalities increased in 2015

A Purdue University study reports a 10 percent increase in Indiana farm-related fatalities.

The annual Indiana Farm Fatality Summery reported 28 farm-related deaths in 2015.  While there was a year-over-year increase, the study shows an overall decline of fatal farm-related injuries since 1970.  Partly because of fewer Hoosiers living and working on farms and advancements in machine safety and safer and healthier working environments.

Tractor and farm machinery accidents continue to be the most common cause of fatal injury and overturned tractors accounted for 39 percent of deaths last year.

Agriculture is one of the nation’s most dangerous occupations with a fatality rate of 24.9 per 100,000 agricultural workers compared to a death rate of 3.3 out of 100,000 for works across all industries.

AUDIO: Bill Field, Purdue University