Basic Tractor Operation Meeting Kit

Tractor safety is for everyone who uses a tractor, whether in farming, forestry, horticulture, or other industries.

DANGERS / HAZARDS

Runovers and rollovers are the top ways people are killed on the farm. Rollovers occur when tractors are improperly operated.

OTHER RISKS

• Tractor fires.
• Working under raised loads.
• Touching overhead power lines.
• Noise-induced hearing loss.
• Slips, trips, and falls while getting off the tractor.

STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

All operators must follow standard operating procedures in using a tractor.

• Drive at speeds slow enough to retain control in unexpected circumstances.
• Reduce speed before turning or applying brakes.
• Watch out for ditches, embankments, and depressions – crumbling and slippery banks can cause overturns.
• When stuck in soft ground, back out. If unsuccessful, get help.
• Reverse up steep slopes, rather than driving forward (ensure no trailing implements are attached).
• Use as wide a wheel track as possible when working on hillsides and sloping ground. Descend slopes cautiously. Keep the tractor in low gear and allow the motor compression to act as a brake.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding ballast to improve tractor stability.

PERFORM PRE-OPERATIONAL INSPECTIONS

Before mounting the tractor, walk around the machine to check for obstructions, bystanders and to check the general condition of the tractor.

HEALTH ISSUES

Operators must pay particular attention to back safety.

• Adjust the seat to suit your body. Consider the type of seating when buying your next tractor.
• A tractor with a seat that has vibration absorbing suspension is highly recommended.
• Never jump down from the tractor.
• Wear footwear that provides a firm grip when mounting or dismounting the tractor or operating foot pedals.

Safety Checks and Safe Stops

• Start the tractor only from the driving position and not from the ground.
• Do not dismount from a moving tractor.
• Ensure the park brake is on and operating effectively before dismounting.
• Do not park a tractor on a steep slope.
• Remove the starting key when the tractor is not in use.

OVERVIEW

• Operators must be trained/experienced enough to do the job.
• Always wear a seatbelt if the tractor has a Roll-Overprotective Structure (ROPS).
• Do not carry passengers on tractors that do not have instructor seats, ROPS, and safety belts.

FINAL WORD

Tractors are not passenger vehicles. Except for those built with instructional seats, they are built for one person to operate. Passengers on tractors can interfere with safe operation.