Plant & Machinery
This course defines the minimum requirements for the delivery and assessment of competence-based Tractor Driving training within agricultural, horticultural, estates, grounds maintenance and wider land-based operational environments.
Agricultural tractors remain one of the most widely used and high-risk categories of mobile work equipment within the rural sector. Inadequate training, poor operational awareness, unsafe attachment practices, overturn incidents, transport collisions, maintenance failures and ineffective supervision continue to contribute to serious injuries, fatalities, environmental damage and workplace enforcement action across the industry.
This programme has been developed to provide learners with the underpinning knowledge, practical skills and operational judgement required to safely prepare, operate, manoeuvre and secure agricultural tractors and associated attachments within realistic workplace environments. The standard supports employers, contractors and operators in meeting legal duties relating to competence, supervision, equipment safety and safe systems of work.
Relevant legislation includes, but is not limited to:
1. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
2. Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
3. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
4. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (where applicable)
5. Workplace Transport Safety Guidance
6. Road Traffic Act requirements relating to agricultural vehicles where applicable
7. Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022)
8. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)
9. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
10. Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
11. Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
This Course Standard should be read alongside HSE guidance AIS14 Overturning tractors — a major cause of farm accidents, which sets out requirements for rollover protective structures (ROPS), seatbelts and safe operating practices on slopes. ROPS and seatbelt requirements are mandatory for tractors first registered on or after 1 September 1970 (Agricultural (Safety, Health and Welfare Provisions) Act 1956 and PUWER). Delivery of Module 4 and Module 5 must reflect AIS14 guidance.
National Occupational Standards (NOS) referenced include, but are not limited to:
1. Operating tractors and self-propelled machinery safely and effectively
2. Preparing, maintaining and monitoring land-based machinery and equipment
3. Implementing safe systems of work within land-based industries
4. Carrying out machinery checks, adjustments and maintenance activities
5. Maintaining health, safety and environmental standards within land-based operations
Select a county from the drop down box to find your nearest UKRS accredited training provider delivering this course.
