Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

11.10.3
Rollover and falling object protection 
(ROPS and FOPS)
Rollover protective structures are now becoming much 
more affordable and available for most types of mobile 

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
170
equipment where there is a high risk of turning over. 
There use is spreading across most developed countries 
and even some less well developed areas. A ROP is a 
cab or frame that provides a safe zone for the vehicle 
operator in the event of a rollover.
The ROPS frame must pass a series of static and 
dynamic crush tests. These tests examine the ability 
of the ROPS to withstand various loads to see if the 
protective zone around the operator remains intact in an 
overturn. A home made bar attached to a tractor axle or 
simple shelter from the sun or rain cannot protect the 
operator if the equipment overturns.
The ROPS must meet International Standards such as 
ISO 3471:1994. All mobile equipment safeguards should 
comply with the essential health and safety requirements 
of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 but 
need not carry a CE marking.
ROPS must also be correctly installed strictly 
following the manufacturer’s instructions and using the 
correct strength bolts and fi xings. They should never be 
modifi ed by drilling, cutting, welding or other means as 
this may seriously weaken the structure.
Falling object protective structures (FOPS), are 
required where there is a signifi cant risk of objects falling 
on the equipment operator or other authorized person 
using the mobile equipment. Canopies that protect against 
falling objects (FOPS) must be properly designed and 
certifi ed for that purpose. Front loaders, working in woods 
or construction sites near scaffolding or buildings under 
construction and high bay storage areas are all locations 
where there is a risk of falling objects. Purchasers of 
equipment should check that any canopies fi tted are 
FOPS. ROPS should never be modifi ed by the user to fi t a 
canopy without consultation with the manufacturers.
ROPS provide some safety during overturning but 
operatives must be confi ned to the protective zone of 
the ROPS. So where ROPS are fi tted a suitable restrain-
ing system must be provided to all seats. The use of seat 
restraints could avoid accidents where drivers are thrown 
from machines, through windows or doors or thrown 
around inside the cab. In agriculture and forestry, fi fty 
percent of overturning accidents occur on slopes of less 
than 10º and twenty fi ve percent on slopes of 5º or less. 
This means that seat restraints should be used most of 
the time that the vehicle is being operated.