Safe Work Australia Shines Spotlight on Quad Bike Fatalities

In the lead-up to national Farm Safety Week which began on 17 July, Safe Work Australia (Australia’s federal occupational health and safety authority) published statistics and recommendations regarding quad bike safety. Also known as all-terrain vehicles or ATVs, quad bike accidents have led to a staggering 115 fatalities in Australia since 2011, of which two-thirds occurred on farms. Nine quad bike fatalities have occurred so far this year; half involved roll-overs, and two were children. “One of the most effective ways to prevent quad bike injuries and deaths is to critically assess if a quad bike is the right vehicle for the job,” said Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ms Michelle Baxter. “Side-by-side vehicles [also called UTVs] may be more suitable in rural workplaces where the operator stays seated, and generally has rollover protection structures and restraints like seat belts.” Programs have been put in place in New South Wales and Victoria to provide rebates to farmers looking to purchase alternative work vehicles, in order to help bring down quad bike-related fatalities and injuries. Read more here.