Alert: Crush hazard from adding equipment on tractors
Farm operators can prevent injury and death by following manufacturer’s instructions and ensuring that equipment added onto existing farm vehicles does not affect the stability or safety of the vehicle.
Issued on May 16, 2024.
This resource does not replace the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations and should not be used as, or considered, legal advice. Health and safety inspectors apply these laws based on the facts they find in the workplace.
Hazard summary
Equipment and vehicles on farms may not always be able to do tasks required by the farm operator. Farm operators may need to buy additional equipment or add-ons that attach to the equipment they already own.
These ‘add-ons’ can cause significant hazards to the equipment operator, and any workers or other persons in the area if the two pieces of equipment are not designed to work together.
Example of hazard
A small tractor was outfitted with an after-market backhoe attachment. The backhoe was attached to the tractor by a three-point hitch. When the operator was using the backhoe, the torque created by the equipment caused the three-point hitch to crumple. The operator was crushed in the equipment.
Key legal requirements
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers have general duties, including the duty to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect worker health and safety, including from the hazard of being injured by equipment that is not safe or appropriately set-up.
Employers must ensure that equipment is maintained in good condition and that workers are acquainted with the hazards at the workplace.
Another key duty for employers is to provide information, instruction, and supervision to workers to protect their health and safety.
Precautions to consider
When adding after-market equipment to existing equipment or vehicles, it is important to understand how the add-ons will affect the function of the original equipment or vehicle.
Employers must ensure:
- the after-market equipment is compatible and appropriate for use with the original equipment
- the operator is aware of how the handling of the equipment may be impacted by the addition of after-market add-ons
Reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions and owner’s manual for the equipment, including the existing farm vehicles/tools and the planned add-on(s), is one way that an employer/farm operator can ensure that the add-on equipment is safe for use.
Contact us
If you need more information about safety requirements, please contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Health & Safety Contact Centre at