A growing safety challenge on Canadian farms
Aging Farmers, Aging Equipment
Canada’s farm workforce is aging. So is its equipment. Discover the challenges and opportunities in modernizing our agricultural landscape.
The Aging Backbone of Agriculture
The late-winter sun hangs low over a machine shed in rural Canada. Inside, a farmer in his 70s climbs into a tractor he has operated for more than four decades.
The machine still runs reliably but its lack of modern safety features tell a quieter story, one that’s shared by farms across the country.
As farmers work later into life and equipment remains in service longer than ever, the risks associated with this trend are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
As farmers age and equipment ages with them, the risks change. Older machinery may lack rollover protection or reliable braking systems. And at the same time, older operators may be facing natural changes in mobility, reaction time and visibility. Recognizing these realities helps protect the people who built the farms and ensures they can continue working safely.
By the numbers...
Explore the statistics that highlight the pressing issues facing our agricultural sector.
Agriculture fatalities (1990-2020)
Percentage of farm operators aged 55+
Average fatalities per year since 2006
Machinery remains the leading cause of agricultural fatalities in Canada. According to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR) program, 2,814 agriculture-related fatalities were recorded between 1990 and 2020, representing an average of 91 deaths per year over the full period and 70 per year between 2006 and 2020.
Machinery, especially the tractor, continues to account for the largest share of fatalities, with rollovers, runovers and entanglements representing the most common circumstances.
Canada’s farm population, meanwhile, is aging. Statistics Canada’s Census of Agriculture continues to identify a rising proportion of farm operators aged 55 and older. In 2021, the most recent year for which information is available, that demographic accounted for 60.5 per cent of Canada’s 262,045 farm population.
The Double-Aging Risk
Aging Operators
Reduced mobility
Stiff joints and reduced flexibility can make it harder to climb onto machinery, react quickly or maintain stable footing.
Reduced mobility
Stiff joints and reduced flexibility can make it harder to climb onto machinery, react quickly or maintain stable footing.
Slower reaction time
Natural changes in reflexes can delay responses to unexpected hazards such as sudden terrain changes or equipment movement.
Aging Machinery
Maintenance Costs
Older tractors often lack rollover protective structures (ROPS), greatly increasing the danger if a machine overturns.
Worn braking systems
Brakes degrade over time, which can reduce stopping power and control especially on slopes or uneven ground.
Safety Risks
Older machines may lack modern guards around moving parts like power take-offs (PTOs), raising the risk of entanglement injuries.
Practical Steps to Improve Farm Machinery Safety
Evaluate older equipment for safety.
Look for worn tires, degraded brakes, poor lighting and unguarded power take-offs (PTOs).
Schedule preventative maintenance.
Build regular inspections and servicing into the farm calendar to catch mechanical issues early and keep aging machinery operating safely.
Plan tasks with physical changes in mind.
Avoid high-risk terrain and allow extra time for mounting, dismounting and rest.
Ensure lighting is adequate for early-morning or late-evening work.
Establish check-ins with family members to allow for quick response in case of emergency.
Join Our Safety Campaign Week
National Farm Safety Week is March 14-20 and the Canada Safety Council is raising awareness on the intersection of aging operators and aging machinery, a combination that significantly increases the likelihood of serious injury.
Aging farmers and aging equipment are both realities of modern Canadian agriculture. But neither needs to become a source of preventable tragedy. Take the time to understand how these factors interact. Take practical steps to address them. This way, farm families can protect their most valuable assets: their people and their livelihood.