Citation

Springfeldt B. Safety Sci. 1996; 24(2): 95-110.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Serious occupational injuries caused by rollover of tractors can be prevented by fitting Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS). In some countries authorities have required such protection on tractors for many years. Others have recommendations or no rules at all. In a survey of tractor rollover injuries and protective measures, the developments in twelve countries are described. Sweden and New Zealand were first to develop ROPS, in the 50's. Mandatory regulations for new tractors were introduced in Sweden in 1959, Denmark 1967, Finland 1969, West Germany, Great Britain, and New Zealand in 1970, the United States 1972, Spain 1975, Norway 1977, and in Switzerland 1978. In most countries the safety rules extended to old tractors some years later, but were not always mandatory. In Canada and Australia federal authorities have no regulations at all concerning ROPS on tractors.In Sweden the frequency of fatal rollovers per 100 000 tractors per year has been reduced from 17 to 0.3 since mandatory regulations were introduced. In Norway the frequency has decreased from 24 to 4 between the periods 1961-1969 and 1979-1986 and in Finland from 16 to 9 from 1980 to 1987. From 1961 to 1986 the West German rate has been reduced from 6.7 to 1.3. In New Zealand the risk has decreased from 37 to 30 from the period 1949-1958 to the period 1969-1974.Studies have shown that the reduction of rollover fatalities depends on the type of protection and the level of usage of ROPS. In countries that introduced mandatory regulations long ago an evident decrease in the number of rollover injuries is reported, especially where retrofitting of ROPS on old tractors is required.