Tractor Safety in Agriculture

1. Tractor Safety in Agriculture Produced by Idaho State University Office of Workforce Training

2. “This material was produced under grant SH22228SH1 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.”

3. OSHA and Agriculture • Not all farms fall under OSHA jurisdiction • Who is exempt: Farms that only employ immediate family members or farms with 10 or less employees (this exemption, however, does not apply if the operation has maintained a temporary labor camp within the last twelve months, OSHA directive CPL 02-00-51) • Additional state guidelines may apply

4. Modern Tractors: • Because modern tractors are larger and more powerful than previous tractors, they require significant caution during operation. • Modern tractors have standard unit weights that commonly exceed 28,000 pounds. • Modern tractors have higher centers of gravity with unit heights in excess of 10 feet. • Modern tractors may have horsepower ratings in excess of 350.

5. 1928.51 Subpart C Employee Operating Instruction • Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for tractors used in agricultural operations. • General requirements. • Seatbelts. 1928.51(b)(2) • Protection from spillage. 1928.51(b)(3) • Protection from sharp surfaces. 1928.51(b)(4) • Other requirements. • Exempted uses. 1928.51(b)(5)

6. Typical Tractor Related Accidents: • Rollover due to excessive speed on uneven roadways or rough surfaces. • Rollover due to excessive speed when turning. • Driving the tractor too near a trench or ditch thereby incurring a rollover. • Falls while mounting or dismounting the unit. • Transporting loader with the contents raised too high thereby increasing the center of gravity. • Riders allowed on the tractor. • Skin injuries due to hydraulic fluid entering the skin under highly intense pressure. • Operator fatigue.

7. Unit Directive Motion • A farm tractor has three directional standard movements: • Forward motion. • Rearward motion. • Steering axle lateral motion (known as pivotal motion).

8. The tractor unit should be equipped with: • Rearview mirrors or television cameras and monitors to provide the operator with good rear vision. • Front or rear tractor weights or wheel ballast to compensate for the extreme weight of forward and rear loads (see unit operators manual). • A slow moving vehicle sign placed on the rear of the tractor and clear of obstructions. • Forward and rear working lights, turn signals, and hazard signals. • Reflective lenses and tape. • Proper guarding and Safety Shields. 1928.57

9. Tractor Safety Issues: • Riders should not be permitted on any tractor not equipped with a safety style cab, except for training purposes. • Only one rider should be permitted to accompany the tractor operator in a safety style cab. • The tractor operator should wear the seatbelt at all times while operating a tractor with a cab or a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). 1928 Subpart C App A • The tractor operator and any additional rider should mount and dismount the tractor using steps, handrails, and safety bars in a safe and cautious manner. • Never attempt a bypass start by shorting across tractor starter terminals.

10. Tractor Safety Issues continued: • The tractor operator should thoroughly review the operators manual and receive training by sales personnel before operating any newly acquired tractor unit. • The tractor operator should clean the cab windows at least once a day and more often if necessary. • The tractor operator should conduct a safety check of the tractor at least once daily and more often if necessary. • The safety check should cover the functionality of the brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and steering system among other things.

11. Tractor Safety Issues continued: • Never fuel a tractor if the engine is running. Engine fuels are highly combustible materials. • Wear ear protection when driving a tractor with no cab. Engine noise should not exceed 90 decibels to the human ear for a prolonged time, but can exceed 140 decibels when operating a tractor with no cab. • Make sure the tractor is engaged in gear when traveling downhill. • Block the tractor up in a stable safe manner when working on a raised tractor (normally diagramed in the operator’s manual). • Consider installing a backup alarm. • Disconnect the ground wire when servicing batteries.

12. Tractor Operational Issues: • When checking radiator coolant either check the unit when the tractor is cool or release radiator pressure slowly through the radiator cap. • Tractor operators should receive thorough training on the tractor unit and the specific implement attached to it. • Most farm implements are designed to be operated at a ground speed of four to six miles an hour. Operators should utilize safe ground speeds for the conditions in which the tractor unit and implement are being operated. • A tractor should never be operated on a slope greater than 30 degrees. • When possible, back uphill & drive downhill.

13. Secondary Tractor Energy Units: • Power take-offs should be placed in the locked position before any power take-off equipment is attached or unattached. • Do not remove power take-off safety shields! • Tractor operators and others should be clear of the three point hitch before it is raised or lowered. • Tractor operators and bystanders should be clear of any hydraulic rams before the hydraulic energy is initiated from the tractor. • Tractor operators and bystanders should be clear of any electric motors or power units before the electrical current is initiated from the tractor.

14. Loader Tractors: • Never leave a loader in a raised position on an unattended tractor. • Be certain all bystanders are clear of a loader before raising or lowering the unit. • Transport loads with the loader bucket in a relatively low and safe transport height. • The loader bucket is not a work platform. Do not allow individuals in the bucket. • Attach loader transport safety bars before traveling down roads or highways at high speeds.

15. In Conclusion: • There are tractors and there are toy tractors. Never let a tractor be used as a toy!!

16. Evaluation Produced by Idaho State University Office of Workforce Training