Worksafe BC
A tractor is one of the most useful pieces of equipment on a farm, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. Between 1990 and 2012, an average of more than 100 deaths occurred per year on farms in Canada. The main causes of these deaths? Being rolled over, run over, or entangled in equipment such as tractor PTOs (power take-offs). In B.C., there have been 12 machinery-related worker fatalities in agriculture since 2009.
The good news is you can prevent injuries and save lives by using your tractor’s roll-over protective structure (ROPS) and wearing your seatbelt. Similarly, many serious injuries and fatalities can be avoided by working safely around PTOs. Ensuring all shields and guards are in place and keeping a safe distance from a rotating PTO would drastically reduce the number of incidents.
It’s important to have proper education, training, and supervision. If you’re an employer, you’re responsible for making sure your workers understand the hazards of their work and have been trained on how to operate equipment and tractors safely. Also, check in with your workers from time to time to ensure that they are following safe operating procedures. ■
If you’re the one operating the tractor or working around equipment, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Select the right piece of equipment for the task.
- 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 tractor brakes are in good condition, working well in both directions (forward and reverse), and properly locked for higher speeds.
- Drive at a safe speed and know the terrain slopes and conditions. Always review the conditions of your work area for irregularities.
- Ensure all loads are properly secured.
- 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.
For more information on how to work safely with tractors, visit worksafebc.com. For hands-on assistance with tractor safety, contact AgSafe at 1.877.533.1789.