Spring Farming Season Agricultural Machinery Accidents 'Caution Needed'

Published 29 Mar.2022 13:38(KST)

According to the Jeollabuk-do Fire Headquarters' statistics, frequent agricultural machinery accidents occurred in April and May

Spring Farming Season Agricultural Machinery Accidents 'Caution Needed'

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] As the full-scale spring farming season approaches, caution is required regarding various agricultural machinery accidents.

On the 29th, the Jeollabuk-do Fire Headquarters (Chief Choi Min-cheol) reported that agricultural machinery accidents frequently occur during the spring farming season from April to May.

In the past three years (2019?2021), there were a total of 1,376 dispatches for agricultural machinery accidents in Jeonbuk, of which 376 cases (27%) occurred during the spring farming season (March to May).

By region, Iksan recorded the highest number with 146 cases (11%), followed by Namwon with 133 cases (10%), Jeongeup 126 cases (9%), Gochang 121 cases (9%), Wanju 102 cases (7%), Gimje 99 cases (7%), and Jinan 96 cases (7%).

By age group, those in their 70s accounted for the largest share with 388 cases (28%), followed by those in their 60s with 383 cases (28%), 50s with 246 cases (18%), and 80s with 193 cases (14%).

This reflects the rapid aging of the rural population in Jeonbuk, with the 60s and 70s age groups accounting for 56% of the total.

By type of agricultural machinery, power tillers accounted for the most cases with 584 (42%), followed by tractors with 239 cases (17%), and brush cutters with 140 cases (10%).

The Fire Headquarters stated that among power tiller accidents, overturning accidents in particular lead to emergencies such as cardiac arrest and serious injuries.

Chief Choi Min-cheol of the Fire Headquarters said, “Most agricultural machinery-related accidents occur because safety rules are not properly followed or pre-inspections are not conducted,” and added, “As the full-scale farming season begins, we ask for pre-inspection of agricultural machinery.”