Tractor rollovers and tractor ejection serious injuries and deaths are usually completely preventable. Tractors require Rollover Protection Structures (ROPS) / seat belts. Tractors without these crucial safety devices are defective and dangerous. Here is a take on tractor ROPS/ seat belts by noted San Diego Products Liability / Personal Injury Attorney Bill Turley. Bill teaches lawyers the law.

DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES CAUSED BY TRACTOR ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS OR TRACTOR OPERATOR EJECTIONS ARE PREVENTABLE WITH ROLL OVER PROTECTION STRUCTURES (ROPS)/ SEAT BELTS: A PRODUCT LIABILITY ATTORNEY'S TAKE



Tractor "Roll Over Protection Structure" (ROPS) refers to operator compartment structures (usually cabs or frames) intended to protect equipment operators from injuries caused by tractor overturns or rollovers. In case of an overturn, ROPS provides a "zone of protection" for the operator. The operator must stay within this zone; if the operator is thrown off the tractor, or is thrown partially off the tractor, he or she may not be protected by the ROPS.

Because the operator is only protected from injury if he or she remains securely in the "zone of protection," seat belts must be used while operating a ROPS-equipped tractor. ROPS have two fundamental components: the structure or frame and the seatbelt.

Seatbelts on tractors have two purposes. First, to keep the operator in the "zone of protection" in event of a roll-over. Second, to keep the operator in the operators seat. So that they aren't thrown or fall from the seat and run over by the tractor.

ROPS/ seat belts prevent operator ejection injuries. When the ROPS are missing tractor operators are needlessly run over by tractors. Most tractors are unstable and travel over uneven ground. Operator ejections are completely preventable.

ROPS and seatbelts are nothing new with tractors. Because of this identifiable risk of injury due to rollover or operator ejection, in 1975 California passed Cal. Code Of Regulations Title 8, Section 3651; which require all tractors used in California to have ROPS (i.e., structure/ frame and a seatbelt).

Incredibly, there have been tractors sold/ distributed in California after 1975 that do not have ROPS/ seat belts. These tractors are defective, dangerous and still causing serious injuries anddeaths. Noted product liability lawyer Bill Turley - from San Diego, California - unfortunately still sees the devastating injuries and deaths caused by defective tractors. These tractors are defectively designed. They are illegal for use in California job sites.
























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