Protective Structure Testing
Written by on 08/24/2023

Protective Structure Testing

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In the realm of machinery safety, a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) stands as a pivotal design, engineered to attach to or be part of a machine, mitigating the risk of operator injury in the event of a vehicle roll-over. Stringent standards govern the load-carrying characteristics of ROPS under static loading conditions, prescribing performance requirements for a representative specimen subjected to such loading.

Testing Standards Portfolio

WESTEST, a stalwart in safety evaluations and testing, meticulously performs protective structure testing in accordance with recognized international standards. Our testing repertoire encompasses compliance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), SAE International, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), and Mining Regulations in Canada.

Roll-Over Protection Structures (ROPS)

  • ISO 3471:2008 ROPS for Earth-Moving Machinery: Specifies performance requirements for metallic ROPS for earth-moving machinery, employing laboratory testing with static loading on a representative specimen to evaluate compliance.
  • SAE J1194 ROPS for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors: Mandates laboratory testing under repeatable and controlled loading conditions to analyze ROPS compliance with specified performance requirements.
  • SAE J2194 ROPS for Wheeled Agricultural Tractors: Recognizes compliance with ISO 5700 or ISO 3463 as meeting the performance requirements, provided ROPS temperature/material and seat belt requirements are met.

Falling Object Protective Structures (FOPS)

Protective Structure Testing
  • ISO 3449:2005 FOPS for Earth-Moving Machinery: Outlines laboratory tests and performance requirements for FOPS on ride-on earth-moving machines, covering both integral and separately supplied structures.

Read about the role of production tests in our article.

Operator Protective Structures (OPS) & Tip-Over Protective Structures (TOPS)

  • B352.0-09 (R2014): ROPS, FOPS, OPS, and TOPS for Mobile Machinery – General Canadian requirements: Sets forth comprehensive Canadian requirements for ROPS, FOPS, OPS, and TOPS.

Should your specific Standards Test not be listed, WESTEST’s proven adaptability allows for easy customization to accommodate a wide range of standards. Connect with us for tailored assistance.

The WESTEST Advantage

With decades of experience spanning diverse industries, WESTEST stands as a trusted authority in delivering safety evaluations and testing for specialized safety installations. Our expertise extends beyond testing, offering access to customized design and testing services for protective structures across a spectrum of operator-driven machinery. WESTEST is your steadfast partner in ensuring safety through rigorous and industry-recognized testing practices.

If you would like to read more about this topic and the standards, you can visit Canada.ca.