Farm Accidents

Excerpts from the report: The economic cost of farm accidents has not been estimated but the toll in lost time, production, and income, and in increased expenses, particularly medical and hospital costs, is substantial. The relatively large number of farm accidents becomes more important when viewed along with the fact that farm people are not as well prepared as other groups to meet health expenses with hospital and surgical insurance. A Public Health Service survey during July 1961-June 1963 showed that only 42 percent of the farmworkers had hospital insurance and 37 percent had surgical insurance. The rates for all occupations in the United States were 76 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Many farm accidents continue to be caused by fatigue, thoughtlessness, and carelessness. Lack of training and supervision, and working alone frequently make the problem more serious in agriculture than in manufacturing and other industries. Greater awareness by farmers, through educational programs, of the seriousness and causes of accidents will be the main way in which accidents can be held in check. During 1964, accidents on farms took the lives of 2,279 people. Fatalities were 30 fewer than in the previous year but increased slightly, relative to the number of people living on farms. Over the past decade the accident trend has been downward but at a slower rate than the decline in the farm population.