Farmboy Is Killed When
Tractor Overturns In Ditch

A 12-year-old boy working part-time for a farmer was killed when he lost control and overturned a tractor in a 12-foot deep roadside ditch. The boy was approaching an uphill portion of a typical gravel road and had just passed a road culvert with deep ditches on both sides. Evidently he drove too close to the right edge and drove into the ditch causing the tractor to roll completely. The tractor was 10 years old and had no ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) or seatbelt. It had 80 HP, and was equipped with a front end loader. It was stored in an old garage with a low doorway height of ~7 ft. ; therefore no ROPS was installed.

There was no passing traffic, no environmental factors, nor failure of equipment that contributed to this accident. However, the tractor’s seat was adjusted in the back position, making it difficult for the boy to reach the brakes. The loader frame may have obstructed his view of the front wheels and edge of the road. The boy had been working the previous 2½ months doing routine farm chores, and had driven this tractor along this stretch of road more than 75 times without apparent difficulty.

#1 All tractors used in hazardous conditions should be equipped with ROPS and a seatbelt.

---Driving tractors on public roads is certainly hazardous--they must have ROPS and a seatbelt!

---ROPS provides a safety zone for the operator, and the seatbelt keeps him within this safety zone.

---Front end loaders increase the center of gravity further, increasing the risk of overturning.

#2 Employers should comply with child labor laws regarding agricultural work.

---Assigning farmwork duties to children involves a serious risk of exceeding their capabilities.

---Children must be 16 year old to operate a tractor over 20 horsepower -- it's the law!

---Brake linkages, seat position, and seat height must be adjusted to match young drivers.

---Even though children are willing and able to work, they do not recognize work hazards well.

#3 Employers should provide appropriate safety education and supervision for their employees.

---The boy was instructed to stay on the right side of the road as he approached the hill.

---Proper education should include warnings about driving too close to the right shoulder.