That's due to the work of agricultural and mechanical engineers and safety specialists. Safety devices such as rollover protection for tractors and shields on aggressive machinery such as augers and manure spreaders are now mandated by machinery design standards. Such safety devices have saved thousands of lives over the years. As the number of farms declines, some of the first to leave farming are operators facing financial difficulty and often at high risk for an accidental death or disabling injury. Farm families that are struggling financially often do not have the resources to make safety a high priority.
People are much more attuned to safety and health issues.
The media has helped by discussing stories such as the 1992 double arm amputation of John Thompson in North Dakota. Farm parents are much more eager to send their children to educational programs such as farm safety day camps and demonstrations. New tools such as the Internet provide farm safety educational information. Innovative teaching strategies use techniques such as simulation and role playing to deliver safety messages. Public institutions such as the University of Minnesota now have additional comprehensive safety programs.