Farm accidents in an Irish county

Abstract

Between 1977-87, 17 farm accident deaths were recorded in a county of population 52,379 in the north-east of Ireland. In 1986, a further 150 non-fatal cases were recorded in the county during a national survey of non-fatal farm accidents. Tractors were the commonest cause of fatal and non-fatal accidents and the latter were frequently serious. Although 63% of fatal, and 60% of non-fatal accidents occurred to farmers, 31% of fatal and 15% of non-fatal cases were farmer's children, and these were mainly under 12 years old. The commonest age group of fatal cases was between 1-15 years, and of non-fatal cases between 46-60 years. The latter age group is representative of the national age group of Irish farmers. There were fewer than three deaths in this series which were beyond the control of the deceased or their guardian, and many non-fatal accidents were associated with risk taking by the deceased. The very low profile afforded farm safety at all levels in Ireland is inappropriate as there is no evidence that farm accidents have decreased either in number or severity in recent years. Examples of non-accidental deaths on the farm are presented to illustrate the need for personal alarm systems for the elderly farmer; furthermore, a 'distressed farmer' scheme run by farming interests is recommended for farmers whose social isolation and financial worries have become an unbearable burden to them.