Have you claimed your ROPS rebate?

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is reminding all tractor owners to install a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and claim their government rebate.

ROPS are a life-saving device that can prevent drivers from being crushed when a tractor rolls over or backflips.

The ROPS rebate helps tractor owners meet the cost of installing these critical safety devices.

New Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 came into effect on 1 July 2003 requiring most tractors to be fitted with ROPS. To help owners meet the cost of fitting ROPS, the Queensland Government is offering tractor owners a WorkCover funded rebate.

The level of the ROPS rebate is determined by the date of installation:

$200–28 April 2005 to 27 April 2006
$150–28 April 2006 to 27 April 2007

From 1 July 2007 , it will be mandatory to install ROPS on tractors. The ROPS regulation applies to all workplaces bound by the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995—not just the rural sector.

Common misconceptions about ROPS

Misconceptions:

'I never drive fast on a tractor, so I don't need ROPS.'
'I'm an experienced operator. I won't have an accident on my tractor.'
'I only work on flat country—it's unlikely I will rollover.'

Research indicates:

most tractor accidents occur at speeds of less than eight kilometres per hour
most operators involved in accidents have more than five years experience on tractors
most accidents occur on slopes of less than five degrees.