Does "Subpart C - Employee Operating Instruction" Apply to You?

Subpart C applies to agricultural operations with tractors.

Do your employees use tractors for agricultural operations? If yes, then you need to comply with the requirements for roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for tractors used in agricultural operations which includes provides the general requirements for the protection of operators. It includes definitions, general requirements (i.e., test and performance of ROPS, seatbelts, protection from spillage, protection from sharp surfaces, use of low profile tractors), labeling and operating instructions. Employee operating instructions are provided in appendix A.

Do you perform test procedures or ensure performance requirements are met for ROPS? If yes, then you need to comply with protective frames for wheel-type agricultural tractors -- test procedures and performance requirements, and protective enclosures for wheel-type agricultural tractors -- test procedures and performance requirements. These standards provide requirements pertaining to laboratory tests, field-upset tests, test procedures, and performance requirements. 

Agricultural tractor means a two or four-wheel drive type vehicle, or track vehicle, of more than 20 engine horsepower, designed to furnish the power to pull, carry, propel, or drive implements that are designed for agriculture. All self-propelled implements are excluded.

Low profile tractor means a wheeled tractor possessing the following characteristics:

• The front wheel spacing is equal to the rear wheel spacing, as measured from the centerline of each right wheel to the centerline of the corresponding left wheel.
• The clearance from the bottom of the tractor chassis to the ground does not exceed 18 inches.
• The highest point of the hood does not exceed 60 inches, and
• The tractor is designed so that the operator straddles the transmission when seated. 

Tractor weight includes the protective frame or enclosure, all fuels, and other components required for normal use of the tractor. Ballast shall be added as necessary to achieve a minimum total weight of 110 lb. (50.0 kg.) per maximum power take-off horse power at the rated engine speed or the maximum, gross vehicle weight specified by the manufacturer, whichever is the greatest. From end weight shall be at least 25 percent of the tractor test weight. In case power take-off horsepower is not available, 95 percent of net engine flywheel horsepower shall be used.

Additional related information can be found on the agricultural safety and health (ASH) webpage.