Safe Work Australia has used National Farm Safety Week to raise awareness of the dangers of quad bikes.
Chief Executive of Safe Work Australia, Michelle Baxter said it was important for farmers and other workers to be aware of the risks associated with quad bike use in rural workplaces as well as their Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations.
Ms Baxter urged anyone working with quad bikes to manage the associated WHS risks and to understand what their obligations were.
“Farmers can contact their local WHS regulator for information specific to their location, including access to training and rebates towards the purchase of protective equipment or an alternative vehicle,” Ms Baxter said.
“Every year quad bikes are a major cause of death and serious injury in rural workplaces with many incidents associated with rollovers.”
She said the risk of a rollover increased when the quad bike was crossing slopes, travelling at high speed, towing an attachment, travelling over rocky or uneven ground or carrying a heavy or unstable load, for example chemicals for spraying.
Ms Baxter urged rural workers to choose the right vehicle for the job; be physically able to control the vehicle; be trained and wear a helmet; and not allow children to ride adult bikes.
“WHS regulators in Queensland, NSW and Victoria are currently running programs to improve quad bike safety,” Ms Baxter said.
“SafeWork NSW and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation programs include rebates for quad bike training and buying alternative vehicles,” she said.
