Harvesting can lead to dangers on the farm: expert

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (WANE) – As the fall harvest season expands, so does the possibility of hazards on the farm.

Edward Sheldon, an agricultural safety specialist at Purdue University, said agriculture is recognized as one of the most dangerous industries in the country, along with mining and construction. Around three-quarters of agricultural injuries and fatalities are related to machinery.

According to Purdue University’s Indiana Farm Fatality Summary, there were 20 work-related farm fatalities in Indiana in 2021.

Data shows that tractors are the leading cause of farm fatalities, accounting for up to 52% of documented cases over the past 10 years, with six reported cases in 2021.

Other significant hazards include confined spaces, such as grain bins and silos, where people can become trapped or disoriented.

Sheldon said farming technology has improved dramatically over the past 40 years, allowing farmers to do more with less risk, and it’s important to recognize that farms have become safer over the past few decades.