Prevent Tractor Runovers and Rollovers

Prevent Tractor Runovers and Rollovers

Alberta Agri-News

According to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting, the leading causes of farm fatalities across Canada are tractor runovers and rollovers. Although today’s tractors have many more safety features than machines of the past, they can still be extremely dangerous.

Runovers - Tractor run overs tend to happen when there is a lack of rules on when and how to approach equipment. “Setting clear rules, keeping a safe distance from working machines, conducting equipment walkarounds and having the discipline to not take short cuts will save more than just time,” says Blair Takahashi, farm safety specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “The risk of another person approaching unannounced or unexpectedly is increased because many farms are also homes. That can put those approaching a tractor in a dangerous situation.” Runovers also happen to operators, particularly if they exit equipment without properly engaging the brakes and kill the power to the machine. The following are some safety practices to adopt: 360 degree walk around equipment before startup and before movement. Shut down equipment before service or any equipment adjustments. Chock the wheels to prevent unintentional movement. Educating bystanders on blind spots so they understand what you can and cannot see from the cab. Never allow kids to play on or near farm equipment, even when not in use.

Rollovers - The risk of injury or death due to tractor rollovers is high, particularly when operators do not properly wear seat belts or similar occupant restraints. “Some maneuvers increase the likelihood of a rollover such as turning on slopes, carrying raised objects, and sliding into ditches,” says Takahashi. “Spring typically has ever-changing soil conditions, so operators need to identify and take extreme care around these areas, even more so when trailing implements.”

Some practices to follow to prevent farm-machinery rollovers: Keep a safe clearance from the edge of roadways. Have tractor wheels set as wide as possible. Reduce your speed while turning. Limit turning movements when driving up and down slopes. Keep heavy loads as low as possible when moving material. Be alert and minimize distractions when operating machinery.

In response to the recent changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Code to include farms and ranches that employ waged, non-family workers, Alberta Labour is funding a farm health and safety producer grant that is administered by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.