Quad Bike Farm Safety Checks Continue

In the past month the Department of Labour has visited 162 farms across the country as part of its campaign to make sure farmers and their workers and using quad bikes safely.

Of the 162 farms visited since the enforcement phase of the quad bike campaign started on 1 April, 56 written warnings or improvement notices were issued.

On average 850 people are injured each year while riding quad bikes on farms. Five die.

“Since April our inspectors have been out and about visiting farmers and their workers to give them information about safe quad bike use and provide them with copies of the Department’s new safety guidelines,” says the Department’s Chief Adviser Health and Safety, Dr Geraint Emrys.

“Where inspectors find people working with quad bikes in a dangerous way they have and will continue to take action. This can range from warnings or penalties, to stopping quad bikes being used until safety issues are fixed,” Dr Emrys says.

In November last year the Department started its Harm Reduction campaign to raise awareness about quad bike safety, focusing on four key steps:

• choose the right vehicle for the job
• always wear a helmet
• don’t let kids ride adult quad bikes
• ensure riders are trained or experienced enough to do the job.

“Farms are workplaces and farmers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their staff,” Dr Emrys says.

“The Department will consider prosecution where a worker has been seriously ill or killed at work because key safety steps have not been taken.

“Previous campaigns have failed to bring down the quad bike death and injury toll on farms, and while enforcement is only one step, farmers must realise that there may be consequences if someone is seriously injured or killed while riding a quad bike at work.”

While the farm visits will continue until June, the quad bike safety campaign will continue until late 2013 with regular reviews and ongoing monitoring and enforcement in that time.

Another update on quad bike farm visits will be provided in early June
More information on quad bike safety is available on our website http://www.dol.govt.nz/quad-bikes/index.asp
Guidelines for the Safe Use of Quad Bikes is available online http://www.osh.govt.nz/publications/booklets/safe-use-quad-bikes/toc.asp