According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, accidents involving tractors are the leading cause of accidental farm deaths.
When working around large equipment one should exceed caution. A good basic rule of thumb to follow is to be aware of moving parts.
The most important moving part to be aware of is the PTO shaft.
A PTO shaft is at the rear of the tractor that sends power to another farm implement, such as a baler or rake.
PTO shafts rotate at high velocities and can cause an injury in a blink of an eye.
Per the USDA, PTO shafts, “spin at speeds of 9 to 15 rotations per second.”
When one is around a PTO shaft be aware of distance, limbs, loose hair and clothing.
Long hair and loose clothing can become intertwined in the shaft resulting in injury.
Another concern with tractor safety is safely climbing into and out of the tractor.
Show-Me Farm Safety, recommends when climbing “either two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet should be in contact (with the equipment) at all times.”
The operator should also be aware of pant cuffs and shoe laces, which can become tangled in the pedals tractors, before leaving the seat.
Extra passengers are also a hazard – even in a cab tractor. All passengers should have a fastened seat belt in case of an accident.
Rollovers are also a common accident that causes tractor fatalities. A tractor can roll either backwards, or sideways.
Show-Me Farm Safety recommends, “avoiding driving steep hillsides” to prevent rollovers.
Tractor speed is also important to take into consideration when preventing a rollover.
Show-Me Farm Safety also recommends shifting smoothly and taking turns slowly.
The height of the front-end loader can also cause a rollover. The USDA and Show-Me Farm Safety emphasize the importance of Roll-over Protection Structure (ROPS).
ROPS are the protective devices such as the cab or frame and proper use of the seat belt.
(ROPS) can eliminate nearly all fatalities caused by rollovers. If a tractor was not sold with ROPS – protection specially made for that tractor can be provided.
Appropriate maintenance up keep is also an important safety measure.
It also saves the farmer or livestock producer time when in the field. If tractors are property maintained, it is safer and the operator spends less time repairing breakdowns.
Tractors should not be left running without an operator in the seat. Operators should also check their blind spots before moving – like in any vehicle.
When operating any type of machinery – users should be knowledgeable of the machine, its functions and their surroundings.
“Ten Commandments of Tractor Safety”
1. Know your tractor, its implements and how they work. Also, keep your equipment in good condition.
2. Use rollover protective structures and seatbelt whenever and wherever applicable. Most tractor fatalities are caused by overturns. If your tractor has a foldable ROPS, fold it down only when absolutely necessary and fold it up and lock it again as soon as possible. Do not wear the seatbelt when the ROPS is folded.
3. Be familiar with your terrain and work area. Use special caution on slopes, slow down for all turns and stay off the highway whenever possible.
4. Never start an engine in a closed shed or garage. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless – and deadly.
5. Always keep your PTO properly shielded. Make it a habit to walk around your tractor and PTO driven implement – never walk over, through or between the tractor and implement.
6. Keep your hitches low and always on the drawbar.
7. Never get off a moving tractor or leave it with its engine running.
8. Never refuel while the engine is running or hot. Additionally, do not add coolant to the radiator while the engine is hot; hot coolant can erupt and scald.
9. Keep all children off and away from your tractor and its implements at all times.
10. Never be in a hurry or take chances about anything you do with your tractor.
