Causes and Prevention of Agricultural Accidents

Causes and Prevention of Agricultural Accidents

Sanjay K Patel and Jaya Sinha

In India, it is estimated that 54.6% of the population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities (census 2011). The traditional agriculture utilizes mainly human and animal power sources. However, now-a-days electro-mechanical sources of power are being used extensively for various farm operations. The agricultural machinery population in the country is estimated at about 160 million and the number of tractors has crossed the 2.75 million mark. Farm mechanization along with increased application of other agricultural inputs has increased the production and productivity of Indian farms but on the other hand it has also increased casualties through agricultural accidents. Loss of human life brings sorrow to the victim’s family and to the society in addition to causing considerable financial loss to the country as a whole. To quantify the causes of agricultural accidents a survey was conducted in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. Based on the survey following main causes of agricultural accidents were identified:

Four Most Common Categories of Tractor Hazards

Tractor hazards are generally categorized into four sections:

1. Overturning accidents. These accidents occur when a tractor operator turns too sharply and the tractor tips over on its side.
2. Runover accidents. Tractors may run over other farmhands due to poor visibility or failure to clear an area before operating a tractor.
3. Power takeoff entanglements. The power takeoff stub transfers power from a tractor to an attached piece of equipment. This stub rotates incredibly fast, and it is possible for a farmhand to become entangled by it, suffering severe injuries.
4. Older tractor failures. Unfortunately, some farmhands use outdated equipment that no longer complies with applicable safety standards, and older equipment is highly likely to cause serious accidents.

1. Human Factors
2. Lack of proper skill and experience
3. Non-use of protective dress and device
4. Loose garments
5. Unawareness
6. Lack of proper training
7. Use of intoxicant
8. Physical in capabilities

B. Machine Factors

1. Failure of component
2. Too much vibration of the component
3. Poor quality of machine
4. Poor maintenance
5. Higher speed

C. Crop Factors

1. Cutting and threshing of wet crop
2. Foreign material involved in crop

D. Environmental Factors

1. Improper pathway
2. Poor light
3. More noise and dusty environment

E. Other Factors

1. Snake bites
2. Dog biting
3. Fall down from the trees

Based on the data and information collected during the survey, the following recommendations are made to minimize the accidents in agriculture.

1. Provision of Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS) on the tractor can help to reduce the death caused in tractor accidents due to crushing of operator in over turning accidents.
2. Provision of turning indicators and rear lights should be made mandatory on tractor-trailers.
3. Design modifications in tractors and other farm equipment are needed for easy and safe hitching of the equipment with the tractors.
4. It is necessary to develop an ergonomic layout for tractor operators’ workplace.
5. Always avoid sitting the children on the trailer.
6. Always avoid taking sharp turning of tractors.
7. The driver should be skilled person knowing well about the tractor and farm machines.
8. The driver is required to drive the tractor under control speed.
9. Threshers having safe feeding chutes or other safe feeding devices as specified in BIS standards should only be used.
10. The chaff cutters should have built-in safe feeding devices.
11. The chaff cutters should have a locking system to avoid children accidents.
12. The rotating parts of various prime movers and farm equipment should have proper guards.
13. Use of personal protective gadgets like hand gloves, gumboots etc. should be encouraged to prevent accidents due to hand tools and snake bites.
14. As most of the snakebites occur at farms in rural areas antivenom injections need to be made available at all the primary health centres. It can      help in reducing the number of death due to snakebites.
15. The installation of pump sets and motors needs to be done in a proper manner so as to avoid electrocution accidents.
16. Training courses should be organized for tractor operators at block levels for proper and safe operation of the tractors and tractor-operated equipment.
17. Farmers should always avoid sitting on the tractor-drawn levelers or other equipments.
18. Make sure children are completing age-appropriate tasks.
19. Stop and turn off all machinery and set brakes before getting off the equipment. Never jump off