1926.1002: Rollover Protection for Tractors
Employers using wheel-type agricultural and industrial tractors in construction must use protective frames that reduce operator injury from upsets. Frames on equipment made before July 15, 2019, must meet SAE J334a and J168 as applicable or ISO 5700:2013, and frames on equipment made on or after that date must meet ISO 5700:2013 or ISO 3471:2008.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1002 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart W).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1002, "Protective frames (roll-over protective structures, known as ROPS) for wheel-type agricultural and industrial tractors used in construction", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart W). It has 7 numbered paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
Show the full text of 1926.1002 (7 paragraphs)
(a) General. This section sets forth requirements for frames used to protect operators of wheel-type agricultural and industrial tractors used in construction work that will minimize the possibility of operator injury resulting from accidental upsets during normal operation. See paragraph (e) of this section for definitions of agricultural and industrial tractors.
(b) Equipment manufactured before July 15, 2019. For equipment manufactured before July 15, 2019, the protective frames shall meet the test and performance requirements of the Society of Automotive Engineers Standard J334a, Protective Frame Test Procedures and Performance Requirements and J168, Protective enclosures-test procedures and performance requirements, as applicable (incorporated by reference, see § 1926.6), or comply with the consensus standard (ISO 5700:2013) listed in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Equipment manufactured on or after July 15, 2019. For equipment manufactured on or after July 15, 2019, the protective frames shall meet the test and performance requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard ISO 5700:2013, Tractors for agriculture and forestry—Roll-over protective structures—static test method and acceptance conditions or ISO 3471:2008 Earth-Moving Machinery—Roll-over protective structures—Laboratory tests and performance requirements (incorporated by reference, see § 1926.6).
(d) Overhead protection requirements. For overhead protection requirements, see § 1926.1003.
(e) Definitions applicable to this section.
(1) “Agricultural tractor” means a wheel-type vehicle of more than 20 engine horsepower, used in construction work, that is designed to furnish the power to pull, propel, or drive implements. (SAE standard J333a-1970 (“Operator protection for wheel-type agricultural and industrial tractors”) defines “agricultural tractor” as a “wheel-type vehicle of more than 20 engine horsepower designed to furnish the power to pull, carry, propel, or drive implements that are designed for agricultural usage.” Since this part 1926 applies only to construction work, the SAE definition of “agricultural tractor” is adopted for purposes of this subpart.)
(2) “Industrial tractor” means that class of wheel-type tractors of more than 20 engine horsepower (other than rubber-tired loaders and dozers described in 29 CFR 1926.1001), used in operations such as landscaping, construction services, loading, digging, grounds keeping, and highway maintenance.
[70 FR 76985, Dec. 29, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 41129, July 20, 2006; 84 FR 21578, May 14, 2019]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Misapplication of Rollover Protective Structures (1977-04-07)
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Frequently asked questions
What standard applies to ROPS on tractors made on or after July 15, 2019?
ISO 5700:2013 or ISO 3471:2008.
What about tractors made before July 15, 2019?
SAE J334a and J168, as applicable, or ISO 5700:2013.
What is an agricultural tractor under this rule?
A wheel-type vehicle of more than 20 engine horsepower used in construction work, designed to pull, propel or drive implements.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1002 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.