Young deaths on farms shocking

Thursday 27 August 1998

Labour Minister Max Bradford says statistics on the number of children killed in work-related accidents on farms make shocking reading.

Since the 1990/91 government financial year, accidents on farms have accounted for 26 of the 36 people under the age of twenty killed in work-related accidents. The 26 farm deaths were investigated by OSH as "work-related" given the blurring of "work" and family life on farms.

The figures include nine children under the age of five who died on farms. Twenty-four of the 26 young people were male. The main causes of death are agricultural machinery, particularly tractors and four-wheeled motorbikes (ATVs).

Mr Bradford said he was horrified by such a tragic and preventable waste of young life.

"Farmers need to recognise that the 'she'll be right' attitude is not a good enough when it comes to safety. Accidents can't be fixed with a piece of four by two and slap on the back. We need to educate our youngsters and their parents as to the risks of farming", he said.

"We mustn't let our compassion for the families touched by such tragic accidents crowd out the necessity to face up to the fact something has to be done about the problem, the Minister said. "Workplace hazards are particularly close to farming families - this means they must be especially vigilant."

Mr Bradford said that the figures confirm the need for OSH (the Occupational Safety and Health Service) to continue to focus on the farming sector.

"Farming is one of the four major risk industries that has been targeted by OSH as part of its Together to Zero campaign, which was launched last year," Mr Bradford said.

"In the farming area, OSH began a pilot project last year involving 1573 farmers north of Auckland to help them manage key hazards. This project is being extended by OSH through-out New Zealand rural areas, this financial year.

In addition, the forthcoming WorkSafe Week from October 5-9 will include a number of activities targeted at young people", Mr Bradford said. "These include training on ATVs for high school children in rural areas, awareness raising activities in schools with a 'safe work' theme, and profiles on the costs of workplace injuries to families and the community.

Year	Age	Sex	Accident
1997/98	2	M	Truck ran over child on a paddock access track
	14	M	Driving ATV, killed by striking wire
	17	M	ATV roll over
	19	M	Fell from ATV while moving stock
1996/97	14	M	Tractor roll-over
	18	M	Tractor roll-over
1995/96	2	M	Run over by a milk tanker
	9	M	Drove ATV through deep water and lost control of bike
	15	M	Lost control of ATV while going down hill
	17	M	ATV collision
	18	M	ATV collision
1994/95	3	M	Accidentally driven over by a utility van driven by father
1993/94	3	M	Tractor roll-over
	15	M	ATV rolled over crushing him
	16	M	Hitching ride on back of trailer, slipped and caught by wheel
1992/93	4	M	Playing near tractor, caught in Power Take Off
1991/92	3	M	Riding on tractor with father, pinned under wheel
	8	M	Crushed when ATV rolled down bank
	18	M	Tractor roll-over
1990/91	1	F	Struck by tractor driven by father
	2	M	Fell off tractor onto an exposed revolving PTO shaft
	4	M	Climbed into an auto-silage feeder, machine started up
	10	F	Lost control of ATV and collided with pole
	10	M	Boy slipped and was run over by tractor towing silage
	11	M	Fell off ATV
	18	M	Crushed by bale during use of a front loader tractor