1998 Wisconsin Farm-Related Fatalities   Mark A. Purschwitz and Cheryl A. Skjolaas  UW Center for Agricultural Safety and Health  Department of Biological Systems Engineering  University of Wisconsin-Extension/Madison

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Definition | Types of Fatalities | Tractor-Related | Machine-Related | County | Month | Age and Gender | Data Source

Twenty-nine fatalities related to farm work or work site activities occurred in Wisconsin in 1998, compared to 41 fatalities in 1997 and 35 in 1996.  Wisconsin has averaged 34.4 such fatalities per year over the past five years. The 1998 Wisconsin farm fatality rate (number of fatalities per 100,000 workers) was 28.2, based on an estimated average of 102,900 workers in production agriculture in Wisconsin in 1998, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (including farm operators, unpaid family labor, and hired workers, but excluding service workers hired through agricultural labor contractors).  This compares to rates of 38.9 and 31.2 for 1997 and 1996, respectively.

According to the National Safety Council, agriculture is consistently one of the three most hazardous industries in the U.S. (along with mining and construction), with an estimated 720 work deaths in 1997 and a fatality rate of 20.3 deaths per 100,000 workers.  This  compares with 5100 fatalities for all U.S. industries combined, with a death rate of  3.9 per 100,000.

Farm-Related Fatality Definition

Farm-related fatalities are defined as unintentional deaths resulting from injury or environmental factors involving farm work or hazards of the farm work site.  Fatalities resulting from heart attacks, recreational activities, home-related activities, or most motor vehicle injuries, are not included in this definition.

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Types of Farm-Related Fatalities

Farm tractors were involved in 15 (51.7%) of the 29 fatalities.  Other farm machines were involved in eight (27.6%) of the 29 fatalities.  These are discussed in more detail later in this report.  There were two confined space fatalities, involving an engulfment/suffocation in a grain bin and a death in a silo from silo gas.  There was one animal-related fatality, being trampled by cattle, and one fall, in the barn.  The other two fatalities involved a trench collapse and a person being electrocuted while moving an elevator which contacted an overhead power line.

Farm Tractor-Related Fatalities

Farm tractors were involved in 15 farm fatalities in 1998, compared with 11 in 1997 and 12 in 1996. Tractor rollovers (overturns) accounted for seven (46.7 %) of the tractor fatalities.  Runovers/falls (being run over by the tractor, sometimes after falling from it) accounted for eight fatalities (53.3%).

Machine-related Fatalities

Farm machines (other than tractors) were involved in eight farm fatalities in 1998, compared with 10 in 1997 and 11 in 1996.  Entanglements (including amputations and lacerations) accounted for three fatalities (37.5%); machines included a corn picker, PTO-driven elevator, and barn cleaner. Three fatalities (37.5%) involved being pinned or crushed by a machine; all three involved skid-steer loaders. Two fatalities (6.9%) involved being run over by a machine; one was a skid-steer loader, the other a horse-drawn manure spreader.

County of Occurrence

In 1998, farm-related fatalities were reported in 25 counties.  Four counties had two fatalities each, and 21 counties had one fatality.
 

Month of Occurrence

The peak month for fatalities was September, with eight (27.6%) fatalities. There were fatalities in 11 of the 12 months; the distribution by month of occurrence is given below. (Month of occurrence is when the injury occurred; in some cases, the victim died later.)
 

Age and Gender of Victims

Twenty-eight  (96.6%) of the victims were males, and one was female; she was an adult.
 Persons age 65 and older accounted for eight (27.6%) of the victims; the age category 45-64 also accounted for eight.  Four (13.8%) victims were age 14 or younger; another four were in the 15-19 group. The following table gives the age distribution using standard National Safety Council age categories, with expanded categories below age 25. (Percentages may not add up due to round-off.)
 

Data Sources

August 1999