Agricultural workers face many hazards, including tractor overturns, runovers, and power take-off (PTO) accidents. According to the National Ag Safety Database, about one in ten operators will overturn a tractor in their lifetime. About 13% of those farmers will be permanently disabled. When a tractor-related fatality happens, 70% of those farms go out of business within five years. These safety measures can lower risks and protect tractor operators.
1 Install roll-over protective structures (ROPS) on tractors.
About half of all farmwork deaths are caused when a tractor overturns. ROPS, such as roll bars or roll cages, protect the tractor operator during an overturn. Install ROPS on all tractors to increase the chances of surviving an overturn.
2 Avoid overturn risks.
Overturns happen when a tractor rolls over backwards or sideways. You can prevent overturns by avoiding these common tractor operator mistakes:
- Turning or driving too close to the edge of a ditch or bank.
- Driving too fast on rough roads and bouncing off the lane.
- Hitching somewhere other than the drawbar when pulling or towing objects.
- Driving up a slope that is too steep.
- Turning a tractor sharply with a front-end loader raised high.
3 Properly shield PTO shafts.
PTO shafts transfer power from the tractor to PTO-driven machinery such as hay balers, weed mowers, and irrigation pumps. The PTO shaft turns around 9 to 17 times per second, which is much faster than you can react. An arm or leg can get wrapped around a PTO shaft before a person knows they are in danger. Install a PTO shield and inspect it regularly to protect a person from the shaft. Always turn off the tractor engine and wait for the PTO shaft to stop before servicing or unclogging equipment.
4 Never let an extra rider on a tractor.
Runover incidents happen when an extra rider stands or sits on the drawbar, axle housing, side hitch area, or fender of the tractor. A person can lose their grip and get thrown or run over by the tractor or farming attachment. Keep all extra riders, including children, off the tractor.
5 Make sure seatbelts and proper seating are installed.
An operator can get knocked out of the tractor by a tree branch, other object, or lose balance if the tractor hits a tree stump or rough terrain. Wearing a seatbelt and replacing old pan-type seats with seats that have back and armrests can prevent these injuries.
6 Always start the engine from the operator’s seat.
A person nearby can become involved in a tractor runover incident. This type of runover can happen to the operator or a bystander when someone tries to start the tractor from the ground, such as during bypass starting, while the tractor is in gear. Before leaving the seat, always shut off the tractor and set the brake or place the tractor in “park.” Never mount or dismount a moving tractor.
7 Make safety a priority.
You may think, “I know how to control my tractor,” or “I will be able to bail out or jump off if I sense I’m in trouble.” It takes less than one second for a tractor to overturn. It is unlikely you can react quickly enough to jump clear of a rolling tractor or reach for a falling rider. Always make safety a priority.
For more information, download or stream any of DWC’s free farming safety publications and videos; or contact a DWC safety training specialist at safetytraining@tdi.texas.gov or 800-252-7031, option 2.