§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the death and accident statistics on farms in Wales in 1969; what were the figures for Flintshire; what categories these fell into in Wales and Flintshire, respectively; what steps he is taking to improve concern for safety on farms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy Department maintains a close watch on the causes of accidents. Through visits to farms, Ministry officers advise on hazards and safety precautions and in this and other ways enforce the safety regulations. The regulations are explained in free booklets and leaflets which also deal more generally with safety. These are backed 353W up by publicity through, for example, the Press, local radio, agricultural shows, Young Farmers' Clubs, or schools. The statistics on accidents are as follows, though there is no information about non-fatal accidents to farmers, members of their family or to other children. Overturning tractors are the largest single cause of fatal accidents. These fatalities could largely be avoided if tractors were fitted with safety cabs, which are compulsory on all new tractors bought for agricultural use on or since 1st September, 1970.
Following are the figures:
ANALYSIS OF FATAL ACCIDENTS IN AGRICULTURE IN WALES, 1969 Cause of Death Wales including Flintshire Flintshire Self Propelled Machines Tractors— Overturning sideways 7 — Overturning endways 1 1 Run over by 1 — Component other than PTO 1* 1* Other incident 1 — Other than tractors 2 — Other Field Machines Implements—Trailed or mounted 1 — Trailer 1 — Electricity Transmission and Control Gear (permanently fixed) 1 — Falls From or on field machines 3 — In open areas 1 — Miscellaneous Gunshot 1 — TOTAL 21 2 * Child under the age of 15 years. Note: These figures include fatal accidents to farmers, members of their families and workers engaged in agriculture.
354W
ANALYSIS OF NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS TO EMPLOYED PERSONS ON AGRICULTURE IN WALES, 1969 Cause Wales including Flintshire Flintshire Self-Propelled Machines Tractors— Overturning sideways 11 1 Overturning endways 3 — Run over by 3 — Injured by PTO 2 — Injured by component other than PTO 5 — Other incident 8 — Other than tractors 8 1
Cause Wales including Flintshire Flintshire Other Field Machines Powered—Trailed or mounted, component other than PTO 9 — Implements—Trailed or mounted 6 — Trailer 8 — Hand tools, powered 11 1 Stationary Machinery Prime movers 1 — Processing plant 3 — Circular saws 8 1 Others 1 — Electricity Transmission and control gear (permanently fixed) 1 — Falls From or on field machines 21 — From workplaces (permanent) 2 — From fixed ladders and stairways 1 — From portable ladders 7 2 From temporary structures (excluding ricks) 3 2 In open areas 61 2 From ricks and stacks 5 — All other falls 16 2 Animals Bulls 1 — Boars 3 — Other cattle 37 3 Horses and other animals 3 — Miscellaneous Falling and swinging objects Bales 3 — Other Farm Produce 2 — Doors and gates 5 1 Other objects 47 2 Strains Handling sacks or bags 13 2 Handling bales 6 — Handling other farm produce 11 — Other causes 39 — Wounds Cuts, grazes, lacerations 61 1 Punctures by thorns, nails, etc. 27 — Other causes 17 — Other Injuries Gunshot 1 — Burns and scalds 3 — TOTAL 483 21 Note: These figures include regular whole-time and part-time workers and seasonal or temporary workers but exclude the occupier, his wife and children at school.