Slight decline in fatal accidents in agriculture

As reported by the Swiss Advisory Council for Accident Prevention in Agriculture (BUL) and Agriss, a total of 28 fatal accidents occurred in agriculture last year. A comparison with the accident figures from previous years suggests a slight downward trend. The number is thus a little below the average value of the recorded cases from 2015-2019, with an average of 33 fatal accidents per year. Among them, eight people lost their lives due to a vehicle crash with off-road rollover. Two of the persons were run over by their own vehicle. A total of nine people were struck by falling trees or tree limbs during forestry operations, resulting in fatal injuries. Other accidents occurred when disconnecting machines, falling from ladders and scaffolding or falling in terrain, as well as falling in connection with animals, the BUL further writes. Three third parties also lost their lives in the process. Two people were hit by agricultural vehicles while riding their bicycles. One person was run over while working in the area of an agricultural vehicle.

In January 2020, the awareness campaign was launched with the Swiss Farmers' Association "Got it yet?" which is to be continued in 2021. Another prevention focus is on education and training, and on imparting specialist knowledge to people who carry out various types of work in the forest.

Source: Agriss, BUL