No matter how different they are in structure, they all, if used improperly or carelessly, can be fatal. Safety statistics show that the majority of farm-related injuries occur between 10 a.m. and noon, with the period between 3 and 5 p.m. second highest 4 . It has been established that these time periods are when fatigue is most likely to occur, and concentration is not as sharp. It is a good practice to take periodic breaks to lessen fatigue. Climbing down off the tractor and walking around for a couple of minutes will help relieve stress and boredom.
Children have the highest rate of machinery-related injuries and fatalities.
Workers over the age of 65 do not have an excessive number of injuries, but the likelihood of an injury being fatal is the greatest 3 . In the over 65 age group, two-thirds of the fatalities were tractor related. The majority of child deaths resulted rom being extra passengers on machinery and being run-over 1 . More than three-quarters require surgery or antibiotic treatment for bacterial infection or both 5 . There are numerous precautions that should be observed when storing machinery on the farm.