When we think of life on the farm, our thoughts typically go to green pastures, grazing animals, and crops being harvested for market. But those green acres can also be scenes of deadly accidents.

Lest you think that farms are disappearing, think again. Illinois’ 76,000 farms cover more than 28 million acres -- nearly 80 percent of the state’s total land area. The average size of an Illinois farm is 368 acres, most of which is devoted to grain, mainly corn and soybeans. Nearly 10 percent have swine, with beef cows on about 23 percent of farms, and 3 percent have dairy cows.

Stop for a minute and view these farm accident statistics from the University of Illinois Extension. Between the study years 1986-2010, there were 772 farm-related deaths. In the last year studied, 2010, of that total, 343 were caused by tractor accidents.

Another statistic, borne out in recent news reports, is one cited by the National Safety Council. Their studies reveal that workers’ age is a contributing factor in farming accidents. Children under 15 and adults over 65 have the highest injury rate. Farm accidents claim as many as 300 children’s lives per year.

Two deaths in May were not in Illinois, but we refer to them here because they mirror the findings: On May 11, a 7-year-old boy from Iowa died after a four-wheeler rolled over while he was doing farm chores. In Texas, on May 15, an 88-year-old longtime farmer died while working on a tractor in a barn. The man was under the tractor when a large part of it fell on him, striking him around his neck.

In a U.S. Department of Labor Fact Sheet, the National Safety Council said, farm accidents and other work-related health problems kill as many as 1,300 people each year in the U.S. and cause 120,000 injuries, most of which are preventable. Again, tractor accidents cause the highest number of fatalities, with tractor overturns accounting for 44 percent of fatalities.

Along with the contributing factor of the age of workers, the Council found these other elements:

• Emergency Preparedness. Hospital and emergency medical care are not usually available within a reasonable distance; the farmer and his family do not have the ability or time to deal with an emergency until professional help arrives.
• Protective Equipment. Seat belts on tractors could prevent up to 40% of all farm work injuries.
• Equipment and Machinery. The majority of farm accidents and fatalities involve the use of machinery. Proper machine guarding and equipment maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations help in avoiding accidents.

The message here is clear. Anyone working on a farm needs to be mindful of safety hazards and incorporate practical safety measures into their workday routine. Failure to do so could result in a horrifying accident or, at worst, death.