Pictured, is a Komatsu WA40, fitted with a certified Falling Object Protection Structure (FOPS) by Hercules. This FOPS model can be fitted to either the Komatsu WA30 or WA40.

In fact, a certified FOPS is also a ROPS, protecting the operator from falling objects and also crush injuries in the event of a roll over.

While self-levelling buckets on front-end loaders are a benefit, it is Hercules' view that they should not be solely relied upon for overhead protection. There is still a significant risk of injury or loss of life posed by falling objects, due to machine movement, uneven ground and human error and unsafe practises, such as overloading the bucket. An example of this is the dangerous practise of stacking multiple bales, in order to build a stack higher than the loader can reach.

Hercules highly recommends the fitting of a FOPS to all machines that have a front-end loader, including tractors, wheel and track loaders and so on.