Safety Tools to Reduce Quad Bike Injuries

Source: Safe to Work

By Margaret Tra

After growing concerns over quad bikes safety, Australasia's work heath and safety regulators have introduced new guidelines tools to assist farmers in reducing injuries.

The new tools include a brochure, poster, pre-purchase checklist and industry strategy found on Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) website.

The 30,000 copies have been distributed to quad bike and farm machinery dealers throughout Australia, in addition to agricultural industry events.

There have been more than 140 quad bike deaths on Australian farms since 2000.

Acting chair of HWSA Peter Dunphy has stated the products were amongst a package of measures to be implemented in the coming months.

"Quad bikes are important and popular piece of farm equipment, but they present serious safety risk in the event of an incident," said Dunphy.

"The checklist will also help farmers choose the safest vehicle for their terrain and jobs on their farm," he said.

In Australia 15 people have died, and in New Zealand four people from quad bike incidents.