Tractors are a useful and valuable farm machine—not a play thing. They were neither built nor intended for joy riding. Tractors have been designed and built with your safety in mind. Its safe operation, however, is entirely in the hands of the operator. However, tractors remain the most common cause of death and serious injury on farms. From 2014-2018, 129 fatalities occurred in the Agriculture industry that involved a vehicle. The most common vehicles involved were tractors (23 per cent, 44 fatalities).
Always follow the safety instructions for your tractor, particularly when you stop or start the tractor. Every model of tractor is different and will have slightly different safety requirements. Read and follow the instructions in the operator’s manual to ensure you are operating your tractor safely.
Passengers riding on tractors, tractor implements or trailers are at a high risk of injury. Tractors travel over uneven ground and passengers can easily be jolted, lose their grip and fall. Do not carry passengers on tractors without instructor seats, rollover protective structures (ROPS) and safety belts.
Hazards and risks associated when operating and working with tractors include:
- Runovers and rollovers
- Machinery power take offs (PTOs) unguarded
- Hydraulics causing crush injuries
- Poor ergonomics causing back strain
- Noise induced hearing loss
- Working at heights and stairs causing falls
- Poor operator skills
Recommendations when operating and working with tractors include:
- Maintain your tractors, and related implements and attachments in line with industry standards and manufacturers’ requirements.
- Conduct pre-operational checks in line with the manufacturers’ instructions on all machinery.
- Fit your tractors with approved ROPS.
- Ensure all guards are in place, especially PTO guards, and check them regularly for signs of wear and tear.
- Ensure tractors are fitted with non-slip, side-access steps that are in good condition.
- Do not allow anyone to ride on the steps, or on implements attached to the tractor, while the tractor is moving.
- Do not attempt to board or disembark a moving tractor.
- Ensure workers are properly inducted, trained and supervised, especially inexperienced and young operators.
- Have a tractor with a cabin if possible, for protection from sun, dust and other elements.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and filters and fitted to tractor cabins.
Find out more about this topic on Better Health Channel
References used for tractor safety topic page
More information:
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety
Tractors and machinery
WorkCover Queensland
Tractor safety precautions
Safework Australia
Tractors
Worksafe NT
Tractor and Rural Machinery Safety
Worksafe New Zealand
Safe use of tractors guide
WorkSafe Victoria
Tractor Rollover Protection Structures (rops) requirements
Research & reviews:
Safework Australia
Work-related traumatic injury fatalities Australia 2018
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Effectiveness of roll-over protective structures in reducing farm tractor fatalities (2000)
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
Farm machinery injury: injury involving tractor run-over [PDF 434kb]
Last updated: 27th April, 2020
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