Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service West Lafayette, IN 47907 Safety with Farm Tractors Bill Field Extension Safety Specialist Purdue University Farm tractor accidents are the major cause of farm work-related deaths. More than 200 Indiana farm family members died as the result of tractor accidents during the 70's. Tractor upsets or overturns account for more than half of all tractor-related deaths. Falls are also a major cause of tractor accidents.
Falls involve both tractor operators and extra riders who are often children.
The tractor upset on him, crushing his chest and fracturing his skull. These are only a few examples of the tragedies caused by unsafe use of farm tractors. Most tractor accidents happen during peak cropping months, from April through October. Of course, in many situations, members of the family do most of the tractor work. However, few tractor operators, family or otherwise, have had training for the job of tractor operation.