California Agricultural Tractors

California Agricultural & Industrial Tractor Operating Instructions Poster

Help satisfy California tractor safety requirements with the California Agricultural & Industrial Tractor Operating Instructions Poster. Cal/OSHA requires employees who operate agricultural or industrial tractors to receive specified safe operating instructions at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.

Copies of the required operating instructions must also be conspicuously posted in a location frequented by tractor operators and printed in a language understood by the majority of affected employees.

Poster Specifications

• Size: 11"W x 17"H
• Format: California agricultural and industrial tractor operating instructions
• Finish: Completely laminated with high-quality laminate
• Requirement: California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3664
• Use: Agricultural and industrial workplaces where employees operate tractors

Who Must Post the California Tractor Operating Instructions?

California employers with employees who operate agricultural or industrial tractors must provide the required operating instructions and conspicuously post copies in a place frequented by tractor drivers.

The posting requirement applies specifically to workplaces where employees operate covered tractors. It is not a general posting requirement for every California employer.

When Must Tractor Operators Receive the Safety Instructions?

Every employee who operates an agricultural or industrial tractor must be instructed in the required safe operating procedures:

• At the time of the employee's initial assignment
• At least annually thereafter
• In additional safe practices required by the particular work environment

The requirement is therefore based on an employee being assigned to operate a tractor rather than simply being a newly hired employee.

What Operating Instructions Are Required?

California's required agricultural and industrial tractor operating instructions include important safety practices such as:

• Securely fastening the seat belt when the tractor is equipped with a rollover protective structure (ROPS)
• Avoiding operation near ditches, embankments, and holes whenever possible
• Reducing speed when turning, crossing slopes, or operating on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces
• Avoiding slopes that are too steep for safe operation
• Watching the direction of travel, especially at row ends, on roads, and around trees
• Not permitting unauthorized riders
• Operating tractors smoothly without jerky turns, starts, or stops
• Hitching only to drawbars and hitch points recommended by the tractor manufacturer
• Setting brakes securely and using the park lock, when available, when the tractor is stopped

Daily Tractor Safety Inspection

California requires employees who operate agricultural or industrial tractors to check the tractor before operation each day.

If the tractor is unsafe, the employee must report the condition immediately to a foreman or mechanic and must not use the tractor again until it has been made safe.

Seat Belts and Rollover Protective Structures

California requires applicable agricultural and industrial tractors to be equipped with rollover protective structures (ROPS), subject to specified exceptions.

When a tractor is equipped with ROPS, operators must securely fasten the applicable seat belt as required by California's tractor operating instructions.

Can Passengers Ride on Agricultural Tractors?

California's tractor operating instructions generally prohibit operators from allowing other individuals to ride on the tractor.

A limited exception applies to qualifying agricultural tractor-mounted personnel transport carriers when they are used, operated, and maintained in accordance with applicable Cal/OSHA requirements.

Safe Tractor Operation on Slopes and Rough Terrain

Tractor operators should reduce speed when turning, crossing slopes, or operating on rough, slick, or muddy surfaces.

Operators should avoid slopes that are too steep for safe operation and use particular caution near ditches, embankments, holes, row ends, roads, trees, and other areas that can increase rollover or collision hazards.

Safe Tractor Hitching

California's operating instructions require tractor operators to hitch equipment only to the drawbar and hitch points recommended by the tractor manufacturer.

Improper hitching can affect tractor stability and increase the risk of rollover or other serious accidents.

Stunt Driving and Horseplay Are Prohibited

California prohibits employees from engaging in stunt driving or horseplay while operating agricultural or industrial tractors.

Tractors should be operated smoothly and under control, without unsafe turns, starts, stops, or other dangerous maneuvers.

Safe Tractor Repairs and Maintenance

Repairs must not be performed on agricultural or industrial trucks or tractors until appropriate arrangements have been made to reduce the probability of injury caused by unexpected movement or operation of the equipment or its components.

California agricultural equipment rules also require appropriate precautions before servicing, adjusting, cleaning, or unclogging agricultural equipment.

Agricultural Equipment Safety Training

California employers must provide employees with appropriate instruction concerning the safe operation and servicing of agricultural equipment with which employees are or will be involved.

Important safe work practices include:

• Keeping guards in place while machinery is operating
• Keeping individuals clear of machinery before starting equipment
• Stopping engines and disconnecting power before applicable servicing or maintenance
• Waiting for machine movement to stop before cleaning or unclogging equipment
• Locking out electrical power before applicable maintenance or service
• Following applicable restrictions concerning riders on agricultural equipment

Where Must the Tractor Operating Instructions Be Posted?

California requires copies of the tractor operating instructions to be conspicuously posted at a place frequented by tractor drivers.

Appropriate locations may include:

• Farm offices
• Equipment sheds
• Tractor storage areas
• Employee check-in areas
• Maintenance facilities
• Employee break areas
• Agricultural safety bulletin boards
• Other conspicuous locations regularly visited by tractor operators

What Language Must the Tractor Instructions Be Posted In?

California requires copies of the tractor operating instructions to be printed in a language understood by the majority of the employees and conspicuously posted where drivers frequent.

Employers should evaluate the languages understood by their tractor operators when selecting and displaying the appropriate notice.

Is the California Agricultural Tractor Poster Required?

Yes, when employees operate agricultural or industrial tractors. California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3664 requires the applicable tractor operating instructions to be provided to operators and copies to be conspicuously posted at a location frequented by drivers.

Employers must also provide the required instruction at initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.

Does Posting the Tractor Instructions Replace Employee Training?

No. Posting the operating instructions does not replace the employer's responsibility to instruct employees in safe tractor operation.

Employers must separately provide required instruction and training and comply with all applicable Cal/OSHA agricultural equipment, tractor, rollover protection, maintenance, and workplace safety requirements.

California Agricultural Workplace Compliance Resources

Labor Law Compliance Center provides California agricultural employers with labor law posters, tractor safety notices, farm labor postings, IWC Wage Orders, and specialty compliance products. Visit our California Labor Law Posters page or browse our California State Specialty Posters for additional California workplace compliance products.