The ACC is stepping up its campaign to reduce the level of farm accidents.
When I think back on 30 years farming, I can remember a few near misses from farm accidents that could have been serious - a four-wheeled motor bike in a gully, tractor over a bank (both without passengers), and one out-of-control wheeled tractor sliding down a hill.
All could have catastrophic consequences but luck was on my side. Safer decision-making would have been better
"A farmer dies every 28 days" and 18,600 injuries happen every year, according to the ACC, and they are on a campa.ign to get everyone who works on farms to take proper care out there.
The most common causes of injuries were poor handling of animals, quad bikes and farm machinery.
Three farmers or agricultural workers died and nearly 300 were injured in quad bike accidents on farms last year, according to ACC claims figures.
More than 300 people were injured in tractor accidents. Common accidents included being run over, rolling the tractor and being injured by an uncovered power take-off (PTO) shaft.
To help farmers minimise the risk of injuries to themselves and their employees, ACC has produced three new safety booklets with useful tips on handling cattle, driving tractors and controlling quad bikes.
To pick up a copy of the booklets or to find out more about injury prevention visit the ACC team at Fieldays on 16 to 18 June 2010 - site number BLED31.
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