Working safely with tractors

Every year, tractors are involved in serious workplace accidents in agriculture and forestry. The number of fatalities has certainly decreased significantly thanks to improved safety. However, at the same time, new risks have emerged as new types of tractors have been developed. Therefore, follow the rules and work as safely as possible with tractors.

Risks when working with tractors

Many accidents involving tractors are due to poor work techniques and incorrect assessment of risks. It is therefore crucial that both employers and tractor drivers are well aware of the risks involved in working with tractors and how these risks can be prevented.

Tractor accidents often occur in connection with

  • getting on and off
  • connecting and disconnecting equipment
  • repairs and maintenance
  • a tractor starting to move unintentionally.

The risk of accidents is high if someone is in the area between or just behind the tractor's rear wheels while the drawbars in the three-point linkage are being raised or lowered.

Every year, serious accidents also occur involving poorly guarded power take-off (PTO) shafts, for example between tractors and power take-off driven machines. A piece of clothing can get caught and pulled around the rotating shaft. If things go wrong, some part of the body will follow. Injuries can be severe, sometimes resulting in death.

Read more about the risks of power take-off (PTO) shafts and how to protect yourself here:

Power take-off (PTO) shafts

When a tractor is used in forestry work, for example to load timber, the driver can be injured by branches or logs slipping out of the grapple into the driver's position, if the tractor does not provide adequate protection for the driver.

How to reduce the risk of accidents with tractors

With good routines, you as an employer can avoid many injuries. It is important to have established procedures in place, both to ensure that tractors, machines and tools are kept in good condition, and that they are used in a safe and correct manner. Use the provisions on systematic work environment management as a basis when developing these procedures.

Good procedures and measures to reduce the risk of injuries with tractors:

  • Ensure that the tractor cannot start moving accidentally when the driver leaves the driving position. You can often secure machines and implements connected to the tractor by applying the handbrake and turning off the tractor’s engine. When the stop depends on maintained air pressure, hydraulic pressure or vacuum, you may need to use other securing methods, such as mechanical locks or supports. Read the instructions for use. They contain important information.

  • If the tractor has a roll-over protection structure, check it regularly. Look for cracks and other damage. Never use a damaged roll-over protection structure. Replace or repair it.

    Repairs to the roll-over protection structure should be carried out by someone with good knowledge and experience in welding and straightening work, and who has access to appropriate equipment for the job. It is advisable to consult the tractor manufacturer or the tractor manufacturer's representative.

  • Make sure that no one is under the implements attached to the three-point linkage or under a front loader, if the implements are not secured. Secure implements in the raised position, mechanically or by using contained fluid in hydraulic cylinders.

  • Ensure that the driver is not exposed to harmful loads or vibrations. Vibrations can come from the steering wheel, controls or the driver's seat.

    The risks of harmful loads and harmful vibrations are reduced if

    • the driver can change the sitting position of the driver's seat
    • the driver's seat has a backrest that supports the lumbar spine when the driver sits upright
    • the driver's seat has suspension that is easy to adjust to the driver's body weight
    • the driver's seat is easy to adjust in the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions.

  • Ensure that a tractor used in forestry work has protection that prevents objects, such as branches and logs, from entering the driver's position.

    Suitable protection may be a cab equipped with grilles or safety glass on the cab's rear window and rear side windows.

  • Ensure that the driver can quickly access help and first aid equipment. A first aid kit should be easily accessible and protected from external damage. When working alone, it is important that the tractor driver can contact the outside world, for example by mobile phone.

Tractor drivers must have documented knowledge

A tractor is work equipment with a particular risk of serious accidents or serious ill health if it is not handled with great skill and good judgment. Therefore, all tractor drivers must have documented theoretical and practical knowledge.

Tractor drivers need

  • to have good knowledge of the tractor's design, characteristics and safety devices
  • to be aware of the specific risks that the terrain and weather conditions may pose
  • to know how they can avoid harmful strain with appropriate work techniques.

The Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on tractors apply to professional activities. In addition to these regulations, there is the Driving Licence Act (1998:488) regarding driving licence qualifications to drive a tractor. If you have questions about driving licences and tractor licences, contact the Swedish Transport Agency.

The employer is responsible for risks when working with tractors

As an employer, you are responsible for the work environment. You must be familiar with the Work Environment Act and other work environment regulations. The regulations regarding tractors and other technical equipment also apply to those who run a business without employees, alone or together with family members. This is stated in the Work Environment Act

Employees and safety representatives are important for a safe work environment with tractors

Even though employees and safety representatives do not have any formal responsibility, they have an important role in work environment management. For example, if you drive a tractor, you can contribute to a safe work environment by

  • ensuring that no one is in the tractor's danger zone
  • securing the tractor and any attached equipment when leaving the driver's seat
  • maintaining good order; for example by not placing loose objects on the floor near the driver's seat.

As an employee, you must follow the employer's instructions. The employer must also give you the opportunity to participate in work environment management. For example, you can report risks, incidents, illness and accidents, suggest measures and provide feedback on what your employer has implemented.

Frequently asked questions about tractors

  • No. Forwarders, harvesters or harwarders are not covered by the special regulations on tractors in the Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:11) on work equipment and personal protective equipment - safe use, Chapter 6.

    Chapter 2 Use of work equipment in the same provisions applies to these forestry machines.

  • That is correct. The specific regulations on tractors apply only to agricultural and forestry tractors that are designed and manufactured for a speed between 6 and 40 kilometres per hour, i.e. those tractors that are tractor class A according to the Road Traffic Definitions Act (2001:599). The reason is that the provisions on the use of tractors were written before tractors were divided into subgroups A and B based on their maximum design speed.

    At the same time, the provisions are mostly relevant for older tractors because they primarily contain technical requirements that do not apply to newer tractors.

    However, the regulations in Chapter 2 on the use of work equipment apply to all tractors. And the organisational requirements in Chapter 6 on the use of tractors can of course be used as guidance for class B tractors as well.

  • As a general rule, minors are prohibited from using tractors with winches, excavators, front loaders with implements or the like. This applies even if the minor is authorised to drive a tractor under the regulations on driving licences and tractor licences in the Driving Licence Act (1998:488). Tractors without hazardous machinery or implements are not covered by the prohibition.

    There are exceptions to the general rule. During instruction or practical training, young people are also allowed to work with tractors that have equipment that would otherwise make their use prohibited. The same applies to young people who have completed upper secondary training relevant to the task.

    Even if a task is not prohibited, the employer must always investigate and risk assess the work to ensure that minors are not exposed to any risks. Particular attention must be paid to the mental and physical fitness of minors for the work. Minors are also never allowed to perform hazardous tasks alone.

Last updated 2025-12-02