ROPS National Tractor Safety Programs

National Tractor Safety Programs available in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Tractor accidents were the number one cause of death, accounting for more than 1,700 fatalities among U.S. farmworkers since 2003. A rollover protective structure (ROPS) is an operator compartment structure (usually cab or rollbar) intended to protect farmers from injuries caused by rollovers.  A ROPS, when used with a seat belt, is 99 percent effective in preventing injury or death in the event of an overturn.

Thankfully, farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin have access to a rebate program that will defray the cost of a ROPS and make their tractor safer.

Wisconsin ROPS Rebate Program

Since the program was established in 2013, more than 170 Wisconsin tractors have been retrofitted with this life-saving apparatus.  The WI ROPS Rebate Program is administered through the National Farm Medicine Center at the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield WI.  Philanthropic support from the Auction of Champions has made the WI rebate program possible.

Minnesota ROPS Rebate Program

In July 2016, the Minnesota legislature approved funding for a tractor safety program to help Minnesota farmers add rollover protection to older tractors. The Minnesota Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) Rebate Program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and is the seventh state to offer such a program.

 

tractor-retrofit

 

Minnesota and Wisconsin tractor owners can apply via the ROPS hotline 1-877-767-7748 (1-877-ROPSR4U, Option 2), or the website www.ropsr4u.com

 

The National Tractor Safety Coalition (NTSC), a multi-sector workgroup formed in May 2014 is currently working to reduce tractor overturn fatalities through the expansion of current ROPS Rebate Programs. For more info, visit:  https://www.ropsr4u.com/