Tractor Safety.
Whether you are a student, a regular tractor driver,
or an employer, you need to learn
about tractor safety before it is too late.
On average ten people a year die in tractor accidents
and there are many major
injuries, including amputations and fractures.
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Before starting
Before you start a tractor, you must know the basic
safety procedures. These are
safety checks and safe stop.
Safety checks
•Am I wearing suitable clothing and footwear?
•Have I read and understood the instruction manual?
•How am I going to do this work?
•Have I carried out pre-start checks of the machinery?
•Do I know enough to work safely?
Safe stop
•Make sure the handbrake is fully applied.
•Make sure all controls and equipment are left
safe.
•Stop the engine.
•Remove the key.
Always use safe stop:
•Before leaving your seat; or
•When anyone else approaches; or
•When anyone else is working on the machine.
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You need to take extra precautions when safe stop is not possible,
for example
when using slurry tankers or external controls.
Key Points
•Never use a machine unless you are trained and know how
to use it safely.
•Never use a machine unless it is properly maintained.
•Keep away from moving machinery – remember that some machine
components
will continue to rotate or move even after the engine has stopped.
•Wear footwear with a good grip – safety boots are best.
•Wear clothes which will not snag on machinery – preferably
overalls.
•Keep long hair tied back.
•Remove any jewellery which might snag – don’t forget watches
and rings.
•Find and read the operator’s manual – keep it handy.
In position
A tractor can only be safely operated from the driving seat. You
must know how
to get in and get out safely, how to adjust seats and mirrors
and how to recognise
controls so you are always in control of your tractor.
Some tractors have controls mounted externally to aid hitching
(normally on the rear
mudguard) – you will need to take different precautions when operating
these.
Getting in and out
•Always use access steps and handholds. Don’t jump from the
cab.
•Use the nearside cab door whenever you can.
•Keep floors, doors, pedals and your boots clean and mud-free.
•Do not keep tools, drawbar pins or top links on the cab
floor.
•Before leaving the seat follow safe stop.
•Get out facing inwards so that you have a good grip.
•Never get on or off a moving tractor.
Visibility and seat adjustment
•Before carrying out adjustments ensure the tractor is in
safe stop.
• Check the seat position – can you operate all controls
comfortably?
•Adjust the seat suspension to your weight.
•Make sure mirrors are properly adjusted. When wearing a
seat belt, doublecheck
that you can still see clearly.
•Make sure mirrors and windows are clean and give full visibility.
Seat belts
•Seat belts are a legal requirement on all tractors where
there is a risk of
overturning and it is reasonably practicable to fit one.
•A seat belt will prevent you being thrown out of the cab
in an overturn or road
accident, where you are most likely to be killed or injured.
•Wear a seat belt when driving on slopes, silage clamps,
working on ditch sides
and when on public roads.
Controls
•Look in the operator’s manual to find out what each control
does.
•Make sure you know how the controls are operated.
•Never use any control unless you are correctly seated in
the cab.
•Know where the controls should be before you start the tractor.
•Don’t forget that different tractors have different controls.
•Never use a machine that you have not been taught how to
use.
External controls
•Look in the operator’s manual to find out where to stand
when using external
controls.
•Only use external controls to hitch equipment in accordance
with the operator’s
manual.
•Do not place any part of your body in between the tractor
and any mounted
implement when operating these controls.
Under power
This step is about getting the engine started and making sure
it is safe to get on.
This is the time to check the brakes, the steering and other controls.
Also check
that no one else is in danger from your tractor.
•Never drive a tractor or other machinery unless you have
been trained to do so.
•Make sure you understand the controls before you operate
the tractor.
•Before moving off, always check whether independent brakes
are locked
together. They should always be locked together for road and transport
use.
•Make sure no one else is near before you start the engine.
•Check that no one is in danger before you move.
•Check that the brakes and steering operate correctly.
•Make sure you know what each control does.
Driving
This is not the last step. A safe tractor operator needs many
more skills than the
steps listed so far. You need to be a competent driver before
you can operate
tractors and other machinery safely.
Above all, watch out for other people and keep your speed down.
•Don’t drive tractors unless they are properly maintained
and safe. Fix or report
defects as soon as possible.
•Take your time and never rush when operating tractors.
•Watch out for obstacles and blind spots.
•Take care with projections such as bale spikes. Remove them
or carry them in a
safe position both on and off the road.
•Comply with warning signs.
•Remember, other people and children may be around, even
if you’re not
expecting them.
•Equipment, loads, bad weather or bright sunshine make it
harder to see, so take
care.
•Get help if visibility is reduced, especially when reversing.
•When reversing, use mirrors and horns and any other reversing
aids fitted to the
tractor.
•Remember that confined or dark buildings and small farmyards
make spotting and
avoiding dangers difficult.
•Agree safe routes for other tractors and machines to avoid
accidents.
•Watch for rear-end swing when travelling with long implements
such as ploughs.
Other people
Every time you use a tractor, look out for other people, wherever
you are, as other
workers are often nearby. Always keep a look out for children.
If you are an operator:
•Check for bystanders before starting tractors or machines.
•Check where assistants are working and make sure you can
see them.
•Agree a way to work safely and make sure everyone follows
it.
•Communicate clearly and make sure instructions can be heard
and understood.
•Only carry someone else if a proper passenger seat is fitted.
•Use the horn to warn assistants that you are going to start.
If you are helping a tractor operator:
•Agree a way to work safely – and follow it.
•If you are using hand signals, agree their meaning beforehand.
•Make sure the tractor operator can see you.
•Never stand in the line of travel of a tractor or machine.
•Find out the safe places to work or stand when near machines.
•Listen to and follow instructions.
•Do not operate any external controls unless you have been
instructed to do so.
If children could be present:
•Never allow them to ride on a tractor – remember it is illegal
to have a child
under 13 years old as a passenger.
•Keep them away from working tractors.
•Always use safe stop.
•Always be aware of places where children may be.
•If you see any children, stop work and make sure they move
to a safe place.
Hitching
Accidents are common when hitching or unhitching tractor-mounted
machines. To
prevent these accidents, remember:
1 Safe stop.
2 Operate controls from the correct position.
3 Never forget your assistants are also at risk.
•Make sure you use the right hitch system.
•Only use controls from the operating position.
•Take extra care when using external controls.
•Never stand between the tractor and other machines, or behind
them unless the
tractor is stationary and the driver is aware of your presence.
•Never stand with your feet under, on or near drawbars.
•Ensure that jacks, skids and other supports are used and
maintained.
•Communicate clearly if you get help with hitching.
Other machines and trailers
Unguarded power take-off (PTO) shafts, machine blockages and maintenance
activities cause many serious injuries.
Correct guarding is essential and you must remember safe stop
– this is the most
important step to make sure you can operate other machinery safely.
PTO shafts
•Follow safe stop whenever possible – it makes sure nothing
will move.
•Take extra care when using a PTO-driven machine, eg a slurry
tanker, in a
stationary position.
•Ensure guards are in place – check they are properly chained,
lubricated and
free from defects.
•Report any faults immediately.
•Do not use a machine with a damaged PTO shaft guard.
•Ensure the tractor is chocked or that there is a mechanical
connection between
the tractor and a stationary PTO-driven machine to ensure the
tractor or
machine does not move, causing the PTO shaft to separate.
Trailers
•Using tractors and trailers without an adequate braking
system has led to loss of
control, jackknifing and tractor-overturning incidents.
•Tractors and trailers used on or off the road need to stop
safely within a reasonable
distance under all conditions.
•Inadequate trailer brakes can lead to accidents when manoeuvring
on slopes
or slippery surfaces, as the tractor may be pushed sideways and
slide out of
control.
•If trailer brakes are inadequate (ie are not doing their
share of the braking) the
tractor braking system can be subjected to excessive wear.
•Safe towing requires the use of a large enough tractor and
selecting the most
suitable gear to stop the combination within a safe distance.
•Make sure you buy trailers that have a suitable braking
system to match your
tractor and ask the supplier for brake efficiency information.
•Failsafe trailer braking provides emergency brakes if the
tractor stalls.
Maintaining trailer brakes
•Properly maintain and adjust braking systems for tractor-trailer
combinations
to ensure efficiency and safety. Testing on the move may be necessary
after
maintenance.
•Keep hydraulic brake couplings clean and avoid contamination.
•Make sure linkages are properly lubricated and operate freely
and keep them
maintained.
•After use clean mud and contamination from brakes (including
parking brakes).
Make sure the cleaning method does not lead to deterioration of
the brakes (eg
rusting caused by pressure washing).
•Tractors which are not fitted with a self-balancing braking
system require more
frequent checks to ensure the brakes are evenly balanced.
•Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for frequency
and detail of
inspection.
•Some older brake linings may contain asbestos. Take appropriate
precautions to
avoid breathing dust and when disposing of waste material.
Other machinery
•Check the machine is properly guarded and the guards have
no defects.
•Check the machine for defects.
•Check the brakes are connected.
•Make sure you are trained and competent to use the machine.
•Always use safe stop.
•Don’t use the machine unless it is properly maintained.
•Always lower machines to a safe position before leaving
the seat.
Overhead power lines
Overhead power lines exist on many farms. This step is about dealing
with the
dangers they present.
Overhead power lines
•Contact with any overhead power line can kill, so plan to
avoid work near them
if possible.
•Be aware of minimum line heights and get them checked by
your distribution
network operator if you have doubts about their height.
•Find out ways of reducing the risk of contact with overhead
power lines (see
INDG389 Shock horror).
•Check that lines are marked on the farm map and pass on
this information to
contractors and other visitors that need to know where the lines
are.
•Be aware of the height and reach of machinery you buy and
operate.
•Use alternative access points and routes to avoid the lines.
•Look out for warning signs, barriers, posts and warning
tapes.
•Always use safe tipping areas.
Overturning
A tractor can overturn anywhere – on silage clamps, near field
drains and even on the flat.
Most overturns happen on slopes. You must know and recognise the
dangers of slopes.
Accidents happen because drivers misjudge slopes, ignore changing
ground
conditions and forget the effect of loads on stability – do not
drive on slopes until
you are properly trained.
•Remember, overturning can happen on flat ground as well
as on slopes.
•Remember, although a tractor can be driven up a slope with
a hard surface, it
cannot necessarily come down the same slope safely.
•Always couple and use trailer and trailed equipment brakes.
•Use seat belts if they are fitted. If they are not, get
them fitted. You are at risk
even if you have a cab.
•Make sure a safety cab is fitted – or a roll frame on older
tractors (in which case
a seat belt must be fitted and used).
•If in doubt, walk the ground before driving over it to check
for hollows, hidden
logs, tree stumps, rock outcrops, rabbit holes etc.
•Get yourself trained in slope safety.
A safe working system
Always plan work in advance so that the work methods are safe
at all stages.
•Drive slowly where the ground surface is not easily seen,
eg in long grass, bracken etc.
•Ensure you use a large enough tractor for the machine or
trailer you are using,
taking account of the weight of the machine, trailer and any load.
Driving across and turning on slopes
•Always descend straight down the gentlest possible gradient
of a slope, rather than
driving diagonally across it.
•Avoid working across slopes if your tractor has large diameter,
tubeless, low-groundpressure
tyres.
•Avoid turning down a slope – this is especially hazardous.
•Plan work across slopes so that turns are made uphill rather
than downhill.
•Use the widest practicable wheel track setting to reduce
the likelihood of the tractor
overturning.
Turning with rear-mounted equipment on a slope
•Add enough front ballast to counterbalance rear-mounted
equipment,
particularly when working on slopes. But remember, using such
ballast may
reduce safety when travelling downhill.
•Remember when using rear-mounted fertiliser spreaders or
sprayers, the tractor
rear-wheel grip reduces as the load is discharged.
• Remember the steady weight reduction reduces traction and
increases the possibility
of sliding, especially when coming down the slope.
•The higher the mounted equipment is on the tractor’s rear
linkage, the less stable the
tractor becomes. Keep mounted equipment as low as possible (within
the constraints
of effective use).
•Select the correct gear for the ground conditions and turn
slowly, so that the
tractor is under complete control during the manoeuvre.
•Do not turn downhill on a slope.
•Use a three-point turn on sharp corners.
•Take extra care with offset-mounted machines. Turn slowly
with the offset load on the upslope
side whenever possible.
Tractor with raised load on the front end
•Ensure enough ballast weight is fitted to the rear.
•Make sure the loader is not overloaded (consult the manufacturer’s
handbook).
•Whenever possible lower the loader for travel.
•Do not drive at speed, make abrupt turns, or suddenly stop
with the loader raised.
•Plan fore-end loader work to minimise travel with the loader
raised.
Rearward overturns
•A tractor with its rear wheels turning at only 2 mph will
be vertical in 1 second if the
object it is pulling resists movement. An inexperienced driver
may need as much as
1.5 seconds to decide on and carry out remedial action.
Vertical jackknifing of tractor and trailer combination
•Ensure trailers are not overloaded and the load is evenly
distributed.
•When tipping take care to ensure the load slides freely
from the trailer.
•Adding rear ballast (eg wheel weights or water ballast)
will increase the stability
of the tractor.
•Pick-up hitch hooks and trailer eyes should be free from
wear that may result in
unhitching, especially when tipping.
Hitching chains or tow ropes
•Always hitch as low as possible.
•Never hitch above the axle.
•A chain or towrope hitched too high could cause rearward
overturn of the
towing tractor even on level ground.
Freeing a bogged-down tractor
•If the tractor becomes bogged down, try to reverse out.
If this fails you will need help.
•Never chain the wheels or jam them with blocks of wood.
They may be forced
into the ground and the tractor may overturn rearwards.
Winching with tractor-mounted winches
To avoid overturning the tractor during winching, always see that
it is set straight in
line with the pull.
Clutch use
•Select the correct gear at the beginning of the slope, so
there is no need to
change gear on the slope.
•Engage four-wheel drive (if available) before working on
slopes.
•Suddenly engaging the clutch can cause a rearward overturn.
•Let the clutch in slowly and avoid snatching. This is particularly
important when
driving up slopes.
•Keep the pedals, footwear and tractor floor/footplates as
dry and free from mud
as possible.
•Be aware that electrohydraulically operated clutches may
engage more
suddenly than mechanically operated clutches.
Parking
Before dismounting, stop the tractor engine and apply the parking
brake fully.
•Do not park with a heavy load on a steep slope.
•Remember parking brakes may have a lower capability than
service brakes,
and some transmission systems provide no engine braking when the
engine is
stopped.
•Try to park on level ground, especially when loading and
unloading.
Driving near a ditch or bank
•Keep away from banks and ditches, especially when turning.
•If you cannot avoid driving near to ditches or banks take
extreme care,
particularly where the surface is loose or wet or where the edge
is concealed by
undergrowth.
•Make headlands wide enough for safe turning.
Using a tractor to stack or consolidate silage
•This is a job for the experienced driver only.
•Ensure the sides of the clamp are properly supported and
fitted with sight lines.
•Keep away from the edges and ensure the clamp is made properly.
•Select a tractor that is suitable for the job.
•Avoid using a tractor that is not fitted with an approved
safety cab.
•Be aware of soft spots and hollows that may affect stability.
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