Quick Facts...
- Tractor turnover, overturn or roll-over accidents account for more
than 50 percent of tractor related deaths on the farm.
- Most overturn deaths are prevented with seat belts and roll-over protective
structures (ROPS).
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued
regulations for ROPS.
- Many older tractors are not ROPS-equipped, but ROPS can be purchased
from the dealer.
Tractor turnover is by far the major cause of tractor-related deaths. In a Johns Hopkins University
study of tractor-related deaths between 1975 and 1981, 45 percent, or 1,163 of the 2,566 total deaths, were
caused by roll-over accidents. Similarly, a 12-year study of Colorado agriculture-related deaths (1978 to 1990)
revealed 50 percent of the tractor-related deaths were due to roll-over.
Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the tractor had been equipped with a roll-over
protective structure (ROPS) at a cost of $400 to $600. A ROPS is a cab or frame that protects operators and
minimizes the possibility of serious injury in an accidental upset.
Of the 175 tractor turnover accidents reported in Nebraska from January 1966
to January 1972, 78 were fatalities, 93 were injuries and four were noninjuries.
Eight of the 175 tractors were equipped with ROPS and resulted in four
non-injury and four injury cases.
The National Safety Council (1996) statistics indicate tractor overturns
accounted for an average of 51percent of tractor-related fatalities from
1985-1995, with an annual rate of 5.4 deaths/100,000 tractors. The Census
of Fatal Occupational injuries (CFOI) surveillance system reported an
average 119 deaths with tractor overturns from 1992 to 1995.
See fact sheet 5.016, General Tractor Safety, for additional information on safe operation.
ROPS Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued these regulations for ROPS:
"Agricultural tractors manufactured after October 25, 1976, shall meet the following requirements:
- A roll-over protective structure (ROPS) shall be provided by the employer for each tractor operated
by an employee.
- Where ROPS are required by this section, the employers shall:
- Provide each tractor with a seat belt that meets the requirements of SAE standard J4C;
- Ensure that each employee uses the seat belt and tightens the belt sufficiently to confine the employee."
Exempted Uses
- Low profile tractors used in orchards, vineyards or hop yards where the vertical clearance
requirements substantially interfere with normal operations and their use is incidental to the work
performed.
- Low profile tractors used inside a farm building or greenhouse in which the vertical clearance is
sufficient to allow a ROPS equipped tractor to operate, and their use is incidental to the work
performed.
- Tractors used with mounted equipment that is incompatible with ROPS (e.g., cornpickers, cotton
strippers, vegetable pickers and fruit harvesters).
Definitions
Agricultural tractor means a two- or four-wheel drive vehicle, or track vehicle of more than 20
engine horsepower, designed to furnish the power to pull, carry, propel or drive implements that are designed
for agriculture. All self-propelled implements are excluded.
Low profile tractor means a wheeled tractor possessing the following characteristics:
- the front wheel spacing is equal to the rear wheel spacing, as measured from the centerline of each
right wheel to the centerline of the corresponding left wheel;
- the clearance from the bottom of the tractor chassis to the ground does not exceed 18 inches;
- the highest point of the hood does not exceed 60 inches; and
- the tractor is designed so that the operator straddles the transmission when seated.
Remounting
When ROPS are removed for any reason, remount them to meet the performance requirements
specified in the standard.
Labeling
Each ROPS should have a label, permanently affixed to the structure, stating manufacturer's or
fabricator's name and address; ROPS model number (if any); tractor makes, models or series numbers that the
structure is designed to fit; and whether or not the ROPS model was tested in accordance with the
requirements of the standard.
Operating Instructions
Every employee who operates an agricultural tractor should be informed of the operating practices
listed below and any other practices dictated by the work environment. Such information must be provided at
the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.
- Securely fasten seat belt if the tractor has a ROPS.
- Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near ditches, embankments and holes.
- Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on rough, slick or muddy surfaces.
- Stay off slopes too steep for safe operation.
- Watch where you are going, especially at row ends, on roads and around trees.
- Do not permit others to ride.
- Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points recommended by tractor manufacturers.
- Operate the tractor smoothly -- no jerky turns, starts or stops.
- When tractor is stopped, set brakes securely and use park lock if available.
Background
In 1984, the National Institute for Farm Safety (NIFS) and the Agricultural Division of the National
Safety Council (NSC) transmitted resolutions to the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)
requesting ROPS be standard equipment on agricultural tractors.
ROPS were designed in the early 1960s to:
- limit most upsets to 90 degrees, and
- protect the operator in upsets beyond 90 degrees.
In 1966, ROPS became available on John Deere farm tractors. The ASAE
published their first standards for ROPS design and use in 1967. The 1984
ASAE Standard, ASAE 5383.1 "RollOver Protective Structures (ROPS) for
Wheeled Agricultural Tractors," establishes test and performance requirements
for ROPS. The new version of ROPS test standard includes ASAE S519, which
was adopted as SAE J2194 by SAE in June 1993.
In May 1995, Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act Regional Directive
95-4A, addressing ROPS requirements for pre-1976 agricultural tractors
become effective. Another legislative effort that is currently underway
is the result of the Tractor Risk Abatement and Control: The policy Conference
helf September in 1997 at The University of IOWA.
Be certain the frame or enclosure meets these standards for roll-over protection.
Some structures are designed only for weather protection. In 1985, some
tractor manufacturers made ROPS standard on all new tractors. Many dealers
can install a ROPS on older model tractors, with prices ranging from $350
to $600. Many roll-over injuries are reported with the use of small Garden
tractors without ROPS. OSHA does not require the use of ROPS with these
small tractors, but installation is beneficial to the operator.
The latest ROPS availability reference “A Guide to Agricultural
Tractor Rollover Protective Structures” was published by the National
Farm Medicine Center in Marshfield of Wisconsin in 1997.
Goals and Preventions
Tractor overturns can be prevented. Tractor operation determines overturns. Stresses caused by
vibration, noise, fumes and overwork increase the chances for overturn accidents. Operator enclosures can
reduce stresses by filtering air and reducing noise and vibration.
Field slope, tractor speed, turning radius, rear axle torque and center
of gravity are interrelated factors that determine tractor turnover potential.
Mathematical computer models, designed to simulate tractor turnovers and
verified by full-scale tests, have been useful for designing more stable
tractors (Denny, 1974). A system to determine tractor turnover potential
utilizing the simulation model and sensor field and tractor operating
conditions is being developed (Murphy, 1982). Tractor stability index
and its monitoring system to monitor tractor rollover was developed (Liu
and Ayers, 1998). The ultimate goal is an audible warning system that
informs the operator of high turnover potential, or auto-deployable ROPS
when a tractor overturn occurs likely.
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