Long hours lead to fatigue and fatigue can lead to accidents. It's not surprising that tractor overturns remain the greatest source of fatal injury on the farm. What is surprising is how few tractors you see equipped with an approved roll-over structure. This, combined with use of seatbelts, could prevent many tragedies. These structures are available for almost all tractors built since 1974 and many tractors of a more vintage nature.
Age is also a factor.
Farmers under the age of 25 and those over the age of 55 are at most risk of injury on the farm. Currently, workers 55 and older represent nearly 28 percent of the farm workforce. Statistics reveal that the leading causes of deaths to this age group are tractors, trucks, mowing machines and farm animals. It's likely that farming will always remain a hazardous occupation. Farmers must cope with a lot of risks.