Farm Accident Report: Wisconsin 1976-1980

AUTHOR ABSTRACT

Wisconsin averaged 77 fatal accidents per year, down from an average of 87 per year of 1971 through 1975. The number of Wisconsin farms continually decreased from 1950 (174,000 farms), to 110,000 in 1970, and 93,000 in 1980. The average acreage per farm increased from 136 to 183 to 200 in the same period (pages 24, 36).

Farm accident fatality rates are highest among those 65+ (66.7), with the 45 through 64 age group, second (25.0). Rates are similar for the 0 through 14 (20.0) and the 25 through 44 age groups (20.6). The rate for young adults 15 through 24 is slightly lower at 18.3 per 100,000. (page 24).

October had the highest number of fatal accidents, with 14.3 percent of the total farm fatalities. November was next with 12.2 percent. (These are the months when corn harvesting is done.) (page 30).

Twenty-three percent of accidents occurred during the period 9:00 AM to 11:59 AM. An equal percent occurred between 3:00 PM to 5:59 PM. (page 31).

In 54 percent of the accidents, the physician or coroner indicated the interval between onset and death was immediate/sudden/or instant. For an additional 22 percent, death was within 24 hours. (page 32).

Almost 48 percent of all those dying from farm accidents were never married, of which 65 percent were under the age of 20. An almost equal percentage were married (46 percent) at the time of death. Six percent were widowed or divorced. (page 26).

Fifty-three percent of those dying from farm accidents during this five-year period were working at the time of the accident. (page 38- 39).

Three cause-of-death groups account for over one fourth of the farm fatalities: Natural and environmental factors with 8.9 percent, being struck accidentally by a falling object with 8.6 percent, and striking against or struck accidentally by objects or persons with 8.1 percent. Accidental falls was the next highest category with 28 deaths or 7.3 percent of the total. (page 33).

Ten counties reported no fatal farm accidents during the 1976 through 1980 period. Only four counties reported no fatal farm accidents during the previous five-year period ("Fatal Farm Accidents in Wisconsin, 1971 through 1975"). An additional 48 counties (66.7 percent) averaged less than two deaths per year. (pages 34-35).

SOURCE AND NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE ID#

SOURCE: Death from accidents, poisoning and violence: Wisconsin 1976-1980. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Health; [1981?]: 21-40.

Note: Section entitled "Fatal farm accidents: Wisconsin 1976-1980".

NLOM ID#: No ID#.

---