Working safely with tractors

By WorkSafeBC

Tractors are one of the most useful pieces of farm equipment, but they can also be the most dangerous. Even with advancements in technology and better understanding of workplace safety, the tractor continues to be one of the most common causes of injury in agriculture with workers being rolled over, run over, or entangled in equipment. It’s crucial for operators to follow safety procedures to minimize serious injuries or even fatalities.

The good news is that simply using your tractor’s rollover projective structure (ROPS) and wearing a seatbelt can help to prevent injuries and save lives. Unfortunately, there are still many farmers who operate their tractors without putting up the ROPS. And even with their ROPS up, tractors are still dangerous if the operator is not wearing a seatbelt.

Working safely around power takeoffs (PTOs) is also crucial for avoiding serious injuries. Ensuring all shields and guards are in place and keeping a safe distance from a rotating PTO can drastically reduce the number of incidents. Before getting off the machine, disengage the PTO, turn off the tractor, and make sure the parking brake is applied and working properly.

Identifying risk factors, implementing prevention strategies, and eliminating or reducing the causes of injuries can go a long way in improving workplace health and safety.

PROPER EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND SUPERVISION IS ESSENTIAL

If you’re an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your workers understand the hazards of their job and have been trained on how to operate tractors and other equipment safely. Seasonal workers are particularly vulnerable and at higher risk of injury when operating tractors and other hazardous equipment and may need to be retrained annually. Checking in with all workers regularly to ensure they’re following safe operating procedures is an important part of building a health and safety culture. Follow these safety procedures when operating a tractor or other equipment:

• Assess the work and ensure you are using 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.

• Make sure all PTO shields and guards are in place and are in good condition.

• Ensure the rollover protective structure (ROPS) is up, and always wear your seatbelt.

• Ensure the tractor brakes are in good condition, working well in both forward and reverse, and are properly locked for higher speeds.

• Drive at a safe speed and be familiar with the terrain slopes and conditions.

• Review the conditions of your work area for potential hazards such as holes or other obstacles.

• Ensure all loads are properly secured, including large bales, and make sure any objects being raised are at the level of the operator.

• When driving, make turns 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 working effectively before you dismount.

• When operating a tractor with a front-end loader, keep the bucket low when travelling and turning, and never get off the tractor seat with the bucket raised.

You can find safety videos and other resources at worksafebc.com/ agriculture. o