Tractor towing on steep slopes

Background

In September 2024 a worker was towing a large spray trailer with a tractor. The worker lost control while descending a steep slope in an orchard resulting in a fatality.

Safety issues

Using high range when operating and towing a load on a steep slope

When moving up or down on steep slopes, tractors should be in low range gears to reduce the likelihood of runaway down the slope. This is particularly important when towing a heavy load, such as a full spray tanker.

Even if within the towing capacity of the tractor the heavy load can push the tractor down the incline, rendering it uncontrollable. Using the tractor's low range gears means that you may have more control of the speed and may descend or ascend the incline safely.

Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS)

The tractor being used had the ROPS removed to provide access between the rows of plants in the orchard. At the time of the incident the tractor was operating in an unobstructed access path and should have had the ROPS secured in the up position. The use of a seatbelt would have restrained the operator within the safety zone of the ROPS.

Ways to control risks

• Assess the incline is safe to descend or ascend. This may include:
  • slope gradient
  • surface material
  • evenness of terrain
  • weight of load
  • capacity of tractor.
• Ensure your tractor has capacity to carry the load you are towing.
• Plan the spraying operation so that the spray tank is not full when starting down-hill spraying, ie spray flat areas or uphill until the contents of the spray tank has been depleted. Alternatively, use a smaller sprayer, or only partly fill the spray tank where the risk of runaway down a hill exists.
• Always use low range gears on steep inclines.
• Ensure the tractor is fitted with a ROPS and have it secured in the up position whenever there is no obstruction of overhead trees or branches.
• Ensure all seatbelts are in good working condition, and are used whenever you are operating the tractor with the ROPS secured in the up position. Fold down ROPS are recommended to ensure that this is easier to ensure ROPS can quickly and easily be reinstated. If your tractor is not fitted with a seatbelt, there are retro-fit kits available, contact your local dealer for these.

Legal duties

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to the health of employees and independent contractors. This means employers must eliminate so far as is reasonably practicable the risk associated with terrain and vehicles. Where the risk cannot be eliminated, it must be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers and self-employed persons have a duty to eliminate the risks associated with vehicles overturning and drivers being ejected, so far as is reasonably practicable. If that is not reasonably practicable, the risks must be reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers must provide or maintain plant or systems of work that are safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers must provide employees and independent contractors with the necessary information, instruction, training or supervision to enable them to do their work in a way that is safe and without risks to health.

Employers must also ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people other than employees are not exposed to risks to their health or safety arising from the employer's conduct.

Self-employed persons must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people are not exposed to risks to their health and safety arising from how they conduct their business undertaking.

A person who (whether as an owner or otherwise) has management or control of a workplace (which may include a farm) must ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the workplace and the means of entering and leaving it are safe and without risks to health.

Employees must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or don't do. Employees must also cooperate with their employer on any action the employer takes to comply with OHS laws.