What is the problem?
According to the latest Canadian statistics (for 1990 to 1996), 146 Canadians have been killed when the tractor they were driving rolled over and crushed them. Thirteen of these were in the Atlantic Provinces. And this was just on farms. The number of fatalities is even higher if all industries are considered.
Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the driver had been protected inside the tractor’s cab through rollover protection and seatbelt use.
What is a rollover protective structure?
A rollover protective structure (ROPS or “roll bar”) is a structure built above or into the cab of a vehicle. Its purpose is to support the weight of the vehicle to protect the operator from being crushed in case the vehicle rolls upside down.
When is a ROPS required?
Sub-section 63(1) of the Occupational Safety General Regulations requires ROPS on all powered mobile equipment and forklifts manufactured on or after January 1, 1974, when it is reasonably practicable to install them (for requirements for vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1974, please read sub-section 63(2) of the regulations or call the contact numbers below).
“Powered mobile equipment” is defined to mean self-propelled equipment that is designed to operate on land in conditions other than a public highway, but does not include equipment primarily designed to transport persons or a power operated elevating work platform. Included in this category would be most farm tractors, some types of construction equipment and other classes of vehicles.
So what standards does a ROPS have to meet?
The Occupational Safety General Regulations requires ROPS that meet the minimum safety requirements of the following standards:
(a) CSA standard B352.0-95, “Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for Agricultural, Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, Industrial and Mining Machines - Part 1: General Requirements”, or is certified by an engineer or the manufacturer to provide equivalent or better protection;
(b) where applicable, CSA standard B352.1-95 (R1999), “Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for Agricultural, Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, Industrial, and Mining Machines - Part 2: Testing Requirements for ROPS on Agricultural Tractors”, or is certified by an engineer or the manufacturer to provide equivalent or better protection; and
(c) where applicable, CSA standard B352.2-95 (R1999), “Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for Agricultural, Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, Industrial, and Mining Machines - Part 3: Testing Requirements for ROPS on Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, Industrial, and Mining Machines”,
or is certified by an engineer or the manufacturer to provide equivalent or better protection.
The Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education will also accept ROPS designed to the Society of Automotive Engineers standard SAE J1040, “Performance Criteria for Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) for Construction, Earthmoving, Forestry, and Mining Machines.”
In addition, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education will accept ROPS designed to SAE standard J1194, “Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors” and SAE standard J2194, “Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors” PROVIDED that the verification test used was NOT the “Static Test at -18oC for Non-ROPS Material” (see Figure 1 of either standard). If the “Static Test at -18oC for Non-ROPS Material” was used to test the ROPS, the certification will NOT be accepted.
Due to their failure to meet all the safety requirements of the CSA standards, the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education will NOT also accept ROPS designed to:
- American Society of Agricultural Engineers standard S383.1-Dec99, “Roll-Over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors”
- United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation 1926.1001, “Mimimum Performance Criteria for Rollover Protective Structures for Designated Scrapers, Loaders, Dozers, Graders and Crawler Tractors.”
What about seat belts?
In order for a ROPS to protect a driver, the driver must stay within the protective structure. Thus, section 65 of the Occupational Safety General Regulations requires seatbelts wherever ROPS are installed on tractors.
In many cases, the ROPS “kits” one can buy come complete with seat belt assemblies.
Are there any exemptions?
ROPS are not required where:
- the cost of installing the ROPS is grossly larger than any benefit they may give. Considering the hazard posed by a tipping tractor, this would usually only apply where there was little chance of a tractor tipping over (such as a tractor driving on a level barn floor).; or
- if the vehicle is an agricultural tractor, it has a mass of less than 800 kilograms (approximately 1760 pounds); or
- if the vehicle is not an agricultural tractor, it has a mass of less than 700 kilograms (approximately 1540 pounds).
Where can I buy a ROPS?
To buy a ROPS, you may contact:
- the dealer or person from whom you purchased the tractor
- the tractor manufacturer
- a rollover protective structure manufacturer (a list of such manufacturers and the types of ROPS they produce can be seen at this site
How can I learn more?
To find out more about ROPS and the legal requirements surrounding them, please contact:
Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education
Occupational Health & Safety Division
5151 Terminal Road, 6th Floor
PO Box 697
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2T8
Phone: (902)424-5400 or 1-800-9LABOUR (in N.S.)
Fax: (902)424-5640
Secure Enquiry Form
Single copies of related publications are available from the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Labour at no charge. Some publications that may be helpful are: