U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Agricultural Safety

Fact Sheet

Protecting Agricultural Workers from 

Tractor Hazards 

Most farmworker injuries and deaths are caused by tractor incidents such as overturns, 

runovers, power take-off (PTO) systems, and unintended contact with tractor attachments or 

implements. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe work environment for every worker. 

This fact sheet provides employers with information about these tractor hazards, along with 

safety measures to protect tractor operators. 

Overturns

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatalities 

in the agriculture industry, resulting in approximately 

130 deaths per year. The majority of tractor overturn 

incidents take place when these farm vehicles turn on their side or 

tip over backward. These overturns come about very quickly, often 

in seconds, which leaves the operator little or no chance to get 

clear as the tractor tips or rolls.

When operated properly, tractors are generally quite safe. Tractors 

that are old, in poor condition, lack safety guards and devices, or are 

driven in an irregular or risky manner can contribute significantly to 

unsafe or hazardous conditions.

Roll-over Protective 

Structures (ROPS)

An operator’s chances of surviving a tractor overturn 

without a serious injury are very good if the tractor has a ROPS 

and the operator is wearing a seat belt. A ROPS is a roll bar or 

cage frame that is designed to form a zone of protection around 

the operator if a tractor overturns. To prevent being thrown from a 

tractor, operators must wear a seat belt. 

A qualified dealer can retrofit older tractor models with a ROPS/

seat belt system. The National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health (NIOSH) Division of Safety Research and Protective 

Technology Branch has developed a Cost-Effective Rollover 

Protective Structure Program (CROPS) for four tractor models that 

lack commercially available ROPS. 

ROPS and Seatbelt 

Requirements

• Agricultural tractors with over 20 horsepower 

manufactured after October 25, 1976 are required 

to have ROPs. (1928.51(b)(1)). 

• Each tractor with a ROPS must have a seat belt.

• Ensure that each operator uses a seat belt properly.

• Employers must ensure that each operator tightens their seat 

A roll-over protective structure and a seat belt can protect workers belt so that they are confined within the ROPS protective area.

from being crushed by an overturned tractor.
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Employers must ensure that tractor operators receive initial and 

at least annual training on the safe operating practices described 

below (29 CFR 1928.51(d)): 

• Fasten seat belts securely (for tractors with rollover protection).

• Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near ditches, 

embankments and holes.

• Stay off slopes too steep for safe operation.

• Reduce speed when turning or crossing slopes, and on rough, 

slick, or muddy surfaces.

• Operate the tractor smoothly, without jerky turns, starts, or stops.

• Be attentive, especially at row ends, on roads, and around trees.

Power Take-Off (PTO) Shafts 

A PTO allows farmworkers to use power from the tractor’s engine 

to drive a variety of machines and implements. PTOs are useful, 

but they can pose a serious safety hazard. Operators and workers 

have come into contact with unprotected as well as protected 

PTOs. Employers must protect workers from coming into contact 

with hazards created by a rotating PTO, and they must inspect 

the PTO shaft to ensure that the PTO guard is always in place. 

Employers should replace any missing or damaged PTO guard.

At the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter, the 

employer should train every farmworker in the safe operation and 

servicing of all equipment with which the operator will be involved, 

including the following safe operating practices (1928.57(a)(6)(i):

• All PTOs, including rear, mid- or side-mounted shafts, shall 

be guarded either by a master shield, or by other protective 

guarding (1928.57(b)(1)(i)).

• Before servicing, adjusting, cleaning, or unclogging 

the equipment, stop the engine, disconnect the power 

source, and wait for the PTO shaft to stop, except when 

the machine must be running to be properly serviced or 

maintained. In that case, the employer must train workers 

on all steps and procedures needed to safely service or 

maintain the equipment (1928.57(a)(6)(iii)).

• Keep all guards in place when the machine is in operation 

(1928.57(a)(6)(i)).

• Ensure that everyone nearby is clear of the machine before 

starting the tractor’s engine and engaging the PTO shaft’s 

selector switch (1928.57(b)(6)(iv)). Tie back and tuck in long 

hair and do not wear loose clothing. A rotating PTO shaft 

can catch long hair or loose clothing.

• If possible, avoid working alone around PTO-driven machinery. 

If entanglement occurs, a coworker may be able to stop the 

PTO shaft in time to prevent more serious injury, or death. 

Tractor Operator Training 

Employer-provided tractor operator training can aid 

in reducing tractor incidents. Employers should train 

tractor operators to:

• Comply with the tractor’s operating instructions.

• Allow no riders, unless the tractor is manufactured with a 

seat and a seat belt for each rider.

• Hitch only to the draw bar and hitch points. 

• Set the brakes and hand brake, if available, when the tractor 

is stopped for more than a few seconds.

• Ensure that operators have the experience and knowledge 

to operate the tractor.

Emergency Planning and 

Preparedness 

Many injuries in agriculture occur far from hospitals 

and emergency medical facilities. Moreover, most 

employers do not have the training or capability to treat these 

injuries. Because treatment facilities are not typically located 

within a reasonable distance or timeframe, employers should: 

• Develop an emergency action plan that addresses all 

likely hazards.

• Designate an emergency staging area for the field or the office.

• Train tractor operators on how to respond to emergency 

situations. 

• Ensure that each tractor has a first-aid kit and a working 

fire extinguisher.

• Assemble a first-aid kit that is designed to address 

agricultural injuries and incidents. Agricultural first-aid kits 

should contain basic medical items such as gauze, splints, 

ice packs, surgical tape, disposable gloves, eye patches, 

burn dressings and a first-aid instruction booklet. 

In 34 states, SMV emblems must be displayed on the rear of any 

tractor and its towed attachment traveling 25 mph or slower.
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

• Call local first responders or 911 in case of an emergency. 

When reporting an emergency, provide your name, location, 

the nature of the emergency and where the worker(s) can 

be reached. 

• Maintain frequent communication with tractor operators 

who work alone or in remote areas.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of 

serious harm. 

• Receive information and training (in a language and 

vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace 

hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace. 

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses. 

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace 

if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their 

employer is not following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all 

identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, including 

reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns 

with their employer or OSHA. If a worker has been retaliated 

against for using their rights, they must file a complaint with 

OSHA as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

General Safety Precautions

• Inspections and review: Ensure that operators and 

workers are thoroughly familiar with farm machinery that 

may be used for just a few days out of the year. This is 

especially important with harvesting equipment such as 

combines and cotton harvesters. 

• Safety checks: Conduct preoperational safety checks, review 

proper operating procedures and ensure that tractor safety 

decals and stickers are not worn, damaged or removed.

• Be aware: Ensure that operators are familiar with the 

ground where the tractor will be used. Operators should be 

aware of ditches, uneven ground, and bystanders in the area. 

• Children: Keep children away from tractors and their 

implements. Having children on a tractor is unsafe. 

• Indoor safety precautions: Prevent indoor carbon 

monoxide buildup by ensuring that adequate ventilation is 

always available when starting or operating a tractor indoors. 

Make sure that exhaust fans are running if available, and 

always leave the structure’s doors open if exhaust fans are 

not available. 

• Highway safety: Employers should train tractor operators to 

avoid highways during busy peak travel times or poor visibility, 

and at night or during bad weather. Lighting and markings for 

tractors and towed equipment should be up-to-date and in 

accord with transportation regulations. Tractor operators should 

consider using emergency flashers and an escort vehicle to 

increase the tractor’s visibility. The tractor should have a clean, 

highly visible, unfaded slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem 

affixed to the rear. SMV emblems are required in 34 states, 

and they must be displayed on the rear of any tractor and 

its towed attachment traveling 25 mph or slower. Employers 

should check state highway regulations to determine if a SMV 

emblem is required in their state or local jurisdiction. 

For questions or to get information or advice, to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, 

or loss of an eye, to file a confidential complaint, or to request OSHA’s free on-site consultation service, contact your 

nearest OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov, or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. 

For more information on ATV safety and other issues affecting farmworkers, visit OSHA’s Safety and 

Health Topics Agricultural Operations website at www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/agriculturaloperations.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any 

new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to 

Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DSG FS-3835 10/2015