DHHS publication ; no. (NIOSH) 97-108

The risk of severe injury or death from rear rollovers in tractors associated with improper hitching methods was emphasized. There were 28 incidents of sudden rear rollover of tractors documented in New York between April 1991 and June of 1996; the rollovers were caused by improperly hitched loads in 60% of these. Environmental conditions contributed to some of these incidents. NIOSH views these findings important, particularly as the number of people using tractors for towing and hauling increases during winter months. Five cases of fatal rear rollover incidents caused by improper hitching methods were briefly described. Several steps to prevent such accidents were listed, including use of rollover protection structures and safety belts, and selecting appropriate hitching points to a tractor.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection