A New European Standard for cab Filters Performance Evaluation: Content and Criticism

When driving tractors and self-propelled machines the operator could be exposed to hazardous substances such as dust, aerosols or vapours (for example during the application of plant protection products or fertilisers). Cabs of agricultural tractors and self-propelled machines provided with filters could reduce operator exposure by air-borne contaminants generated during farming operations if the air filtering is appropriate and correctly functioning. To give indication to cabs and filter manufacturers on these latter aspects a European Standard was developed (EN15695). This European Standard will be applicable to filters and cabs of agricultural and forestry tractors and self-propelled sprayers. Its purpose is to limit the exposure of the driver to hazardous substances like PPP and liquid fertilisers. It also specifies the information to be provided by the tractor or selfpropelled sprayer manufacturer. The proposed classification includes 4 categories of cabs and 3 categories of filters. Critical points. Currently few cabins are equipped with internal pressurization and practically no one has a pressure gauge as required by the Standard. The main critical points in achieving a greater level of safety for the operator are: • the standard failure in defining the useful life of filters which depend also on the PPP used; • the small size of the filters which also limits their duration and effectiveness; • the impossibility to install in the actual cabs both dust filters and activated carbon filters.