Tractors

Rollovers, falls and contact with tractor attachments are the leading causes of injury and death to farm tractor operators. Having policies and safe work procedures in place will help protect tractor operators from injury.

Part 22 (Powered Mobile Equipment) of The Workplace Safety and Health Act and Regulation outlines requirements of powered mobile equipment, which includes tractors.

An employer must develop and implement safe work procedures for the use of powered mobile equipment, train the workers on the procedures and ensure the procedures are followed. Equipment is expected to be inspected by a competent person for defects or unsafe conditions. If a defect or unsafe condition that may create a risk to the safety and health of the worker is detected, the employer must ensure that the powered equipment is not operated until it is repaired or corrected. Written records of the inspections, repairs and maintenance carried out on the tractor are kept at the workplace and made available to the operator of the tractor.

The operator’s manual for the tractor needs to be readily available to the worker who operates the tractor. Exposed, moving parts of tractors and any other powered mobile equipment must be effectively shielded, enclosed or guarded in a manner that prevents a worker from coming in contact with the moving parts.

An employer and a supplier must ensure that powered mobile equipment is equipped with a horn or other audible device, a portable fire extinguisher, an effective braking system and a parking device. If powered mobile equipment is equipped with a seat with a seatbelt, the employer must ensure that the seatbelt or restraining devices are not removed and when equipment is in use, the operator must use the seats and seatbelts.

Employers must ensure that powered mobile equipment which is operated during hours of darkness or in an area that is not adequately illuminated is equipped with suitable headlights and back-up lights that clearly illuminate the path of travel.

Unless equipped with a rollover protective structure, no person may operate, and no employer may authorize or permit a worker to operate powered mobile equipment with a machine mass of 700 kg or more—including tractors. Where a rollover structure is required, the employer and supplier must ensure that the rollover protective structure meets CSA standards and is designed by a professional engineer if it is not commercially manufactured.

Serious injuries and death can result from agricultural equipment running over or striking nearby workers, family members or visitors to the farm. Poor sight lines and lack of visibility, commonly known as blind spots, exist on many pieces of agricultural equipment.

Ensure all equipment operators engage in a walk-around check before moving equipment.

Ensure workers, family members and visitors are trained to recognize blind spots on agricultural equipment and to avoid entering these areas.