Tractor Safety
It seems like tractor safety is a recurring and pertinent theme for articles. Unfortunately there continues to be a need to bring attention to the hazards of working with farm equipment. Even with advancements in technology and an understanding of tractor safety, the tractor continues to be one of the most dangerous aspects of working in agriculture.
Between 1990 and 2012, there was an average of over 100 deaths per year on Canadian farms. The main causes of these deaths? Workers getting rolled over, run over by tractors or entangled in equipment such as the power take-off(PTO).
Since 2009 In B.C., there have been 13 machinery-related fatalities in agriculture. That means 13 workers didn’t come home to their families at the end of the day.
The good news is you can prevent injuries and save lives by simply using your tractor’s roll-over protective structure (ROPS) and wearing your seatbelt. Unfortunately, there are still many farmers who operate their tractors without putting up the ROPS. Take a trip through the Okanagan valley on any given day and you’ll likely see tractors on the road without ROPS. If those tractors were to get too close to the edge of the road, they could overturn into a ditch, with potentially devastating consequences for the operator. Even with their ROPS up, tractors are still dangerous unless the operator is wearing a seatbelt.
Working safely around PTOs is crucial to avoiding serious injuries or even fatalities. Ensuring all shields and guards are in place, and keeping a safe distance from a rotating PTO could drastically reduce the number of incidents. Also, before getting off the machine, remember to disengage the PTO, turn off the tractor and make sure the parking brake is applied and working properly.
Proper education, training, and supervision are important as well. If you’re an employer, you’re responsible for making sure your workers understand the hazards of their job and have been trained on how to operate equipment and tractors safely. Also, check in with your workers to ensure that they’re following safe operating procedures.
If you’re the one operating the tractor or working around equipment, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Use the right piece of equipment for the job.
- Read and make sure you understand the operator’s manual.
- Check to ensure the tractor is in good working condition before you operate it.
- Always make sure all PTO shields and guards are in place and in good condition.
- Ensure the ROPS is up, and always wear your seatbelt.
- Ensure the tractor brakes are in good condition, working well in both directions (forward and reverse), and properly locked for higher speeds.
- Always drive at a safe speed, and be familiar with the terrain slopes and conditions. Always review the conditions of your work area for irregularities such as holes or other obstacles.
- Ensure all loads are properly secured, including large bales, and objects being raised above the head level of the operator.
- Turn on level ground whenever possible, and avoid soft shoulders.
- When getting off the machine, disengage the PTO, turn off the tractor, and ensure the parking brake is on and operating effectively before you dismount.
- When operating a tractor with a front-end loader, keep the bucket low when travelling and turning. Never leave the tractor seat with the bucket raised.
- WorkSafeBC can help you and your workers stay safe around tractors and other agricultural equipment. There are a variety of resources that can provide the information and safety advice you need at worksafebc.com/agriculture. While there, have a look at our videos on tractor safety including: 4H Working safely on tractors and 4H Working safely around tractors
For hands-on assistance with tractor safety, contact AgSafe at 1.877.533.1789.