Posted By Geoff Burt I don't normally get involved in this sort of thing but as a freebie to the local parish council here goes: A 1950's tractor is owned and used by the council to cut the grass on the village green (one of the largest in the UK - the green that is). Most of the green is flat but there are some uneven areas. If necessary the grass cutting could be restricted to the flat areas only. A councillor is paid as a contractor to cut the grass. Maintenance of the tractor and grass cutter is up-to-date and the driver is very experienced. The question is - does a seat belt have to be fitted, and if the operation is restricted to the flat areas, do rollover bars have to installed? My initial risk assessment would say no to both questions but I'd like confirmation (or otherwise) or indeed any comments. Geoff

Posted By Jim Walker Geoff I profess no particular expertise, but suggest if your RA says it is OK, then there is no need. Have you considered that although you have banned the use on a slope that the operative might ignore this? A similar regulation change came about regarding fork lift trucks, but my understanding is if you have established that roll over is unlikely then the seat belt etc is not required. Additionally, the age of the machine might kick in. I have an old Landrover that does not require seat belts - I've fitted them nonetheless. In your case PUWER does not make exemptions but the traffic regs might.

Posted By Stuart Nagle Geoff. It is my understanding that seat belts should be fitted where there is ANY risk of the vehicle turning over. The same in the case of a tractor would apply to a roll cage and also cab protection if the vehicle has a any attachments that lift loads that could fall onto the cab. In addition, where doors are fitted they must be closed during operation. If there is any chance of doors being left open, as I am sure they will be (on nice sunny summer days on the grass-cutting work), seat belts must be fitted and worn. You state that the ground is flat, but areas around this are inclined. I would assume therefore that cutting of the flat area goes up to the inclined areas, and therefore a risk of some degree must exist. Taking into account Murphy's Law (what can go wrong will do eventually), it would be prudent to consider that most accidents occur when the things no-one though would happen (and have not guarded against) actually happen!! I'm sure that the contractor (a councillor you say !! very interesting) would be willing to comply with the reasonably practicable requirements of the council to ensure that the work is performed in a safe and healthy manner. I'm sure that any other 'contractor' would either have already have undertaken these refinements or be happy to do so when the reasonable requirements were identified !!