Assessment of risk of burn injuries from hot surfaces in agricultural and forestry tractors.

Laboratory investigation has been conduced on 4 different models of agricultural tractor to asses the risk of burn for operators and other persons caused by contact with or proximity to tractor's parts at high temperature. Risk of burn has been defined comparing temperatures recoded on selected parts of the tractors with burn thresholds values for intentional and unintentional contact. Instruction booklets and hazard pictorial signs on tractors has been examined in relation to burn hazards found on tractors during tests. Results of assessment show that unintentional burn threshold temperatures is exceeded by unexpected parts of the tractor, by unprotected or not correctly protected parts, and, in some conditions, by parts the operator intentionally touch. Introduction of more appropriate technical safety measures, addition of more specific safety recommendations into the manuals, and affixing of clear warning signals, should reduce the risk of burn for operators and other persons not familiar with tractors.