Agricultural tractors manufactured after October 25, 1976,
shall meet the following requirements:
A. Roll over protective structure. Unless
exempted under 51.4 a roll over protective structure (ROPS) shall be provided
by the employer for each tractor operated by an employee. ROPS used on wheel
type tractors shall meet the test and performance requirements of SAE J 1194
"Roll over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors and
SAE J 208d" Safety for Agricultural Equipment and ROPS used on track type
tractors shall meet the test and performance requirements of UOSH Construction
Standards Part 1000.
B. Exempted
uses:
1. "Low profile" tractors while they are
used in orchards, vineyards or hop yards where the vertical clearance
requirements would substantially interfere with normal operations, and while
their use is incidental to the work performed therein.
2. "Low profile" tractors while used inside a
farm building or greenhouse in which the vertical clearance is insufficient to
allow a ROPS equipped tractor to operate, and while their use is incidental to
the work performed therein.
3.
Tractors while used with mounted equipment which is incompatible with ROPS
(e.g. cornpickers, cotton strippers, vegetable pickers and fruit
harvesters.)
C.
Seatbelts. Where the ROPS are required by this section, the employer shall:
1. Provide each tractor with a seatbelt which
meets the requirements of 51.5.
2.
Instruct each employee in the use of seatbelts to ensure use while the tractor
is moving.
D. ROPS
equipped tractors shall be fitted with seat belt assemblies (Type 1) conforming
to the following: SAEJ114, J117, J140a, J141, J339a, and J800c, except as noted
hereafter.
1. Where a suspended seat is used,
the seat belt shall be fastened to the movable portion of the seat to
accommodate the ride motion of the operator.
2. The seat belt anchorage shall be capable
of withstanding a static tensile force of 4448N (1000 lbf) at 45 degrees to the
horizontal equally divided between the anchorages. The seat mounting shall be
capable of withstanding this force plus a force equal to four times the force
of gravity on the mass of all applicable seat components applied 45 degrees to
the horizontal in a forward and upward direction. In addition, the seat
mounting shall be capable of withstanding 2224N (500 lbf) belt force plus two
times the force of gravity on the mass of all applicable seat components both
applied at 45 degrees to the horizontal in an upward and rearward direction.
Floor and seat deformation is acceptable provided there is no structural
failure or release of the seat adjuster mechanism or other locking device. The
seat adjuster or locking device need not be operable after application of the
test load.
E. Protection
from spillage. Batteries, fuel tanks, oil reservoirs, and coolant systems shall
be constructed and located or sealed to assure that spillage will not occur
which may come in contact with the operator in the event of an upset.
F. Protection from sharp surfaces. All sharp
edges and corners at the operator's station shall be designed to minimize
operator injury in the event of an upset.
G. Remounting. Where ROPS are removed for any
reason, they shall be remounted so as to meet the requirements of this
paragraph.
H. Labeling. Each ROPS
shall have a label, permanently affixed to the structure, which states:
1. Manufacturer's or fabricator's name and
address;
2. ROPS model number, if
any;
3. Tractor makes, models, or
series numbers that the structure is designed to fit; and
4. That the ROPS model was tested in
accordance with the requirements of this rule.
I. Operating Instructions. Every employee who
operates an agricultural tractor shall be informed of the operating practices
listed below and of any other practices dictated by the work environment. Such
information shall be provided at the time of initial assignment and at least
annually thereafter.
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TABLE 2
EMPLOYEE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
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1. Securely fasten your seat belt if the tractor
has a ROPS.
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2. Where possible, avoid operating the tractor near
ditches, embankments, and holes.
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3. Reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, and
on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces.
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4. Stay off slopes too steep for safe
operation.
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5. Watch where you are going, especially at row
ends, on roads, and around trees.
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6. Do not permit others to ride.
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7. Operate the tractor smoothly, no jerky turns
starts, or stops.
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8. Hitch only to the drawbar and hitch points
recommended by tractor manufacturers.
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9. When tractor is stopped, set brakes securely and
use park lock if available.
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