Mark A. Purschwitz, Ph.D.

Extension Professor

Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist

Mark A. Purschwitz, Ph.D.

Extension Professor

Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist

Tractor Rollover Safety and ROPSTractor Rollover Safety and ROPS

Tractor Overturns (Rollovers)Tractor Overturns (Rollovers)

• Called “rollovers” because the tractor rolls over on top of the victim

• Not to be confused with “runovers”, where the tractor/machine runs over the victim

• Crushing trauma

• Survivable perhaps 50% of the time

• Single most common farm-related cause of fatalities

• Called “rollovers” because the tractor rolls over on top of the victim

• Not to be confused with “runovers”, where the tractor/machine runs over the victim

• Crushing trauma

• Survivable perhaps 50% of the time

• Single most common farm-related cause of fatalities

Tractor Overturns, cont.Tractor Overturns, cont.

• Occur for many reasons

• Most overturns occur to the side

• Some overturns occur to the rear (tractor flips over backwards)

• ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) are needed to prevent serious injury and death

• Occur for many reasons

• Most overturns occur to the side

• Some overturns occur to the rear (tractor flips over backwards)

• ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) are needed to prevent serious injury and death

Reasons for Tractor OverturnsReasons for Tractor Overturns

• Steep slopes and/or rough ground

• Turning too fast

• Carrying loads high (e.g., round bale)

• Roadway collisions

• Improper tractor setup – wheels not set wide for slopes, tractor not weighted enough to remain stable

• Improper hitching (hitching above drawbar)

• Steep slopes and/or rough ground

• Turning too fast

• Carrying loads high (e.g., round bale)

• Roadway collisions

• Improper tractor setup – wheels not set wide for slopes, tractor not weighted enough to remain stable

• Improper hitching (hitching above drawbar)

Type of ROPS (see slides)Type of ROPS (see slides)

• Two-post or two-post with canopy• Two-post folding, for low buildings• Four-post• Carefully designed and tested; never should

be home-made or modified.• An authentic ROPS should have a label,

sticker, etc., indicating what standard the ROPS complies with.

• Two-post or two-post with canopy• Two-post folding, for low buildings• Four-post• Carefully designed and tested; never should

be home-made or modified.• An authentic ROPS should have a label,

sticker, etc., indicating what standard the ROPS complies with.

ROPS CabsROPS Cabs• ROPS Cab (protective structure built into

frame of cab

• Supposed to have a tag or sticker inside, showing certification

• Cabs supplied by tractor manufacturers have been ROPS Cabs since early 1970s

• Beware of old, add-on cabs that might just be for weather protection

• ROPS Cab (protective structure built into frame of cab

• Supposed to have a tag or sticker inside, showing certification

• Cabs supplied by tractor manufacturers have been ROPS Cabs since early 1970s

• Beware of old, add-on cabs that might just be for weather protection

Zone of Protection forTwo-Post ROPS

Zone of Protection forTwo-Post ROPS

• Note two-post ROPS in next slide

• Imagine how tractor would look upside down

• ROPS absorbs some energy, may deflect (bend) slightly, but does not crush

• We want to keep the operator inside the zone of protection.

• Note two-post ROPS in next slide

• Imagine how tractor would look upside down

• ROPS absorbs some energy, may deflect (bend) slightly, but does not crush

• We want to keep the operator inside the zone of protection.

Older TractorsOlder Tractors

• ROPS not standard in U.S. until 1985

• Over two million tractors lack ROPS

• Older, non-ROPS tractors more likely to be used for “chores” like mowing along ditches and roadways, pulling wagons, having a front-end loader, etc.

• Old tractors can maintain utility for 60+ years

• Often purchased by rural landowners.

• ROPS not standard in U.S. until 1985

• Over two million tractors lack ROPS

• Older, non-ROPS tractors more likely to be used for “chores” like mowing along ditches and roadways, pulling wagons, having a front-end loader, etc.

• Old tractors can maintain utility for 60+ years

• Often purchased by rural landowners.

Examples of ROPS ProtectionExamples of ROPS Protection

• See following slides of overturns.

• Think about what happened in each case and how the ROPS protected the operator.

• Think what would have happened without the ROPS.

• Again shows the need to keep operator inside the zone of protection.

• See following slides of overturns.

• Think about what happened in each case and how the ROPS protected the operator.

• Think what would have happened without the ROPS.

• Again shows the need to keep operator inside the zone of protection.

Role of the SeatbeltRole of the Seatbelt

• Keeps operator inside “zone of protection”

• If you are an employee, you must wear it

• Seatbelt keeps you from getting thrown out, especially in a rougher or faster overturn.

• Wearing it will become natural; you just have to get used to it.

• Keeps operator inside “zone of protection”

• If you are an employee, you must wear it

• Seatbelt keeps you from getting thrown out, especially in a rougher or faster overturn.

• Wearing it will become natural; you just have to get used to it.

Seatbelt, cont.Seatbelt, cont.

• The ROPS often limits a tractor overturn to 90 degrees (tractor stops on its side, or rears up and stops with nose in the air.)

• Because of this, a ROPS can still limit injury even if the seatbelt is not worn. A ROPS without a seatbelt is better than no ROPS at all.

• Therefore, if you feel you will never wear a seatbelt, get a ROPS anyway.

• The ROPS often limits a tractor overturn to 90 degrees (tractor stops on its side, or rears up and stops with nose in the air.)

• Because of this, a ROPS can still limit injury even if the seatbelt is not worn. A ROPS without a seatbelt is better than no ROPS at all.

• Therefore, if you feel you will never wear a seatbelt, get a ROPS anyway.

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths

• #1 -- Have a ROPS on the tractor.

• Operator training is important but not sufficient – there are situations beyond the operator’s control.

• Every operator is human and subject to mistakes, distractions, hurrying, being tired, etc. That’s why you need ROPS.

• #1 -- Have a ROPS on the tractor.

• Operator training is important but not sufficient – there are situations beyond the operator’s control.

• Every operator is human and subject to mistakes, distractions, hurrying, being tired, etc. That’s why you need ROPS.

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths, cont.

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths, cont.

• Use the right size tractor for the job.

• Set up the tractor correctly – wheel spacing, weighting.

• Always hitch to drawbar (or 3-pt hitch).

• Never attach a chain or cable above the drawbar (wants to flip tractor backwards.)

• Use the right size tractor for the job.

• Set up the tractor correctly – wheel spacing, weighting.

• Always hitch to drawbar (or 3-pt hitch).

• Never attach a chain or cable above the drawbar (wants to flip tractor backwards.)

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths, cont.

Prevention of Tractor-Related Injuries and Deaths, cont.

• Keep speed under control, especially on rough ground or when turning.

• Carry loads low.

• Eliminate or mark known overturn hazards, like hidden stumps, rocks, washouts.

• Avoid roadway collisions – proper operation, good lighting and marking.

• Keep speed under control, especially on rough ground or when turning.

• Carry loads low.

• Eliminate or mark known overturn hazards, like hidden stumps, rocks, washouts.

• Avoid roadway collisions – proper operation, good lighting and marking.

Obtaining a Retrofit ROPSObtaining a Retrofit ROPS

• Check with your tractor dealer first.

• NEVER build a ROPS – they are carefully engineered and manufactured.

• Check the comprehensive online guide to retrofit ROPS:

“The Kentucky ROPS Guide”

http://www.ca.uky.edu/rops

• Check with your tractor dealer first.

• NEVER build a ROPS – they are carefully engineered and manufactured.

• Check the comprehensive online guide to retrofit ROPS:

“The Kentucky ROPS Guide”

http://www.ca.uky.edu/rops

If there is an overturn:If there is an overturn:

• Requires professional extrication

• Improper extrication can kill

• Call EMS immediately

• Extrication must be slow and controlled

• Protect victim if possible from spilled fuel, oil, battery acid, etc., and pesticides if a sprayer is involved

• Requires professional extrication

• Improper extrication can kill

• Call EMS immediately

• Extrication must be slow and controlled

• Protect victim if possible from spilled fuel, oil, battery acid, etc., and pesticides if a sprayer is involved

Thank YouThank You