Powered Industrial Trucks, Tractors, and Other Equipment

Tractor accidents are the number one cause of deaths and injuries in agriculture. The University of Vermont has developed a Tractor Safety Program with equipment and training provisions to enhance the safety of employees who operate tractors. This program incorporates recognized safe operating practices and reflects OSHA regulations concerning the operation of agricultural tractors. Any employee or student who operates an agricultural tractor as a condition of employment or as a course requirement is subject to this program.

This safety program covers the use of all agricultural tractors, farm field equipment, and other agricultural vehicles that are owned by UVM, operated by UVM employees, and/or utilized on UVM property.

In addition to the normal roles and responsibilities, the following groups have these responsiblities with respect to farm and field operations:

Supervisors

1. Identify and designate personnel authorized to operate tractors and/or equipment
2. Ensure operators have received proper training prior to operation
3. Ensure all safety and manufacturer instruction are followed
4. Ensure tractor(s) and farm equipment is maintained properly and repaired when necessary

Authorized Tractor Operators

1. Complete appropriate training prior to tractor operation
2. Perform safety inspections and document using a checklist
3. Operate and maintain equipment in a safe manner at all times
4. Report all maintenance issues to their supervisor

Risk Management and Safety

1. Ensure that program meets OSHA requirements
2. Provide program oversight
3. Periodically review and update program as necessary

1. ROPS
All tractors will be equipped with ROPS, unless they meet one of the following exemptions:

• Tractors of 20 HP or less
• Tractors using mounted equipment which is incompatible with ROPS
• Low profile tractors used in orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, and other environments where vertical clearance of ROPS is not possible
• Tractors manufactured before 1976 may be exempted on a case-by-case basis by RM&S
• All tractors equipped with ROPS must also be equipped with seatbelts.

2. Machine Guarding

• All power take-off shafts and power take-off driven equipment shall be guarded either by a master shield, or by other protective guarding to protect against employee contact with positively driven rotating parts of the power drive system.

3. Inspections

• Authorized users must perform and document a pre-use inspection of equipment to ensure that it is in good working order.
• Any maintenance issues must be reported to the supervisor before operation

4. Safe Operation

• Operation of all tractors and farm field equipment must be done in a safe manner to prevent injury to the operator, animals, or pedestrians and to prevent damage to property during operation. Safe operation of equipment must be covered in the operator training.

5. External Users

• All outside parties using a UVM-owned tractor and/or equipment, or using UVM facilities, must sign an Agreement of Use (PDF) prior to possessing or operating the equipment.

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

• Appropriate PPE, such as hearing protection and eye protection must be made available by the employer.
• Appropriate PPE must be worn by the operator when a hazard exists.

7. Hazard Communication

• Use a SMV (slow-moving vehicle) emblem and flashing amber lights to identify the tractor when travelling on roadways.
• Communicate with other farm users to ensure there are no pedestrians near the tractor during operation.

Required for each employee that operates agricultural tractors and/or farm field equipment, at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter [OSHA 29 CFR 1928.51(d) and OSHA 29 CFR 1928.57(a)(6)]

1.  Initial training, Online Safety Training:
   • Review the Tractor Safety Powerpoint (PDF) and Tractor Safety Manual (PDF).
   • Then, login to online training and complete the Tractor Safety Quiz.  (Select the "Tractor Safety Quiz" from the Specific Hazards list)
   • ​A hands-on training must be conducted by the supervisor, including specific operating instructions for each tractor and each piece of equipment that the employee will use.
2. Annual refresher training, contact your supervisor or safety coordinator
3. Minimum Tractor Topics to be Covered:
   • Securely fasten your seat belt if the tractor has a ROPS.
   • Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near ditches, embankments, and holes.
   • Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces.
   • Stay off slopes too steep for safe operation.
   • Watch where you are going, especially at row ends, on roads, and around trees.
   • Do not permit others to ride.
   • Operate the tractor smoothly—no jerky turns, starts, or stops.
   • Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points recommended by tractor manufacturers.
   • When the tractor is stopped, set brakes securely and use park lock if available.
4. Minimum Field Equipment Topics to be Covered:
   • Keep all guards in place when machine is in operation.
   • Permit no riders on farm field equipment other than persons required for instruction or assistance in machine operation.
   • Stop engine, disconnect the power source, and wait for all machine movement to stop before servicing, adjusting, cleaning, or unclogging the equipment, except where the machine must be running to be properly serviced or maintained, in which case the employer shall instruct employees as to all steps and procedures which are necessary to safely service or maintain the equipment.
   • Ensure everyone is clear of machinery before starting the engine, engaging power, or operating the machine.
   • Lock out electrical power before performing maintenance or service on farm equipment.

Re-training, other than the annual refresher, will be required when:.

• An incident or near miss occurs,
• A safety concern is reported and verified, and/or
• Any change in equipment, activities, or location that would warrant additional training.

Supervisors must maintain documentation of the following:

1. Inspections
2. Employee Training (including names and dates of training, name of trainer, topics covered, and the equipment each employee is certified to operate)
3. Maintenance Records and a copy of the Manufacturer’s manual for each tractor and piece of equipment
4. Accident/Injury reports involving agricultural tractors and field farm equipment

• OSHA Fact Sheet - Preventing Farm Vehicle Back Over Incidents (PDF)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1928 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Agriculture
• Subpart C: Roll-Over Protective Structures
• Subpart D: Guarding of farm field equipment, farmstead equipment, and cotton gins

• Tractor Safety (PDF)
• Farm Machinery and Equipment Handout (PDF)