Friday, 09 August 2024 11:40

Four deaths prompt quad bike warning

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
WorkSafe is urging rural New Zealand to refocus on the risk of quad bike roll-overs. WorkSafe is urging rural New Zealand to refocus on the risk of quad bike roll-overs.

Four farm deaths involving quad bikes in the past three weeks have promoted a warning from WorkSafe.

It is urging rural New Zealand to refocus on the risk of quad bike roll-overs.

WorkSafe is investigating all four fatalities, the first of which occurred on 18 July in Wairarapa. It was followed by another on 22 July in Canterbury, one on 26 July in Southland, and most recently in Northland on 30 July. All four incidents coincided with the start of lambing and calving season.

“Our sympathy is with every family and community mourning these sudden deaths. Although our investigations are in their early stages, the trend is worrying enough for us to sound the alarm already,” says WorkSafe principal inspector Graham Bates.

“Doing a risk assessment of your terrain and tasks must be the top priority before getting on a quad bike. This is a time of year when we are experiencing variable weather and growth, and variable ground conditions. Sloped surfaces and steep terrain can be especially problematic and have sadly been a factor in some of the recent cases.”

“Farm vehicle incidents are one of the top two causes of workplace deaths in NZ, which is why agriculture is a priority sector under WorkSafe’s new strategy. We are targeting the biggest risks and working with the sector to improve health and safety in agriculture.

“Farming consists of a never-ending list of tasks and constant reprioritisation. However, we cannot let those challenges contribute to loss of life or injury. The people with the most power to influence this are those on the ground each day doing the work,” says Bates.

WorkSafe’s recommendations for reducing the risks of harm on farm include:

  • Consider installing a crush protection or rollover protection device on your quad bike.
  • Choose the right vehicle for the job and ensure that the driver is competent.
  • Always use your seatbelt and helmet.
  • Consider undergoing quad bike training.
  • Prioritise maintenance. That should cover attachments, good tyres and brakes.
  • Remember tired people make mistakes.
  • Ensure that the vehicle is safely stopped and brakes are fully engaged before getting off.
  • Don’t be afraid to seek assistance when you need to – neighbouring farmers are always more than willing to lend a hand.

More like this

Accident triggers traffic alert in barns, sheds

WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.

Crush death triggers on-farm traffic alert

Following a sentencing for a death at a South Canterbury agribusiness, WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds.

Featured

Top innovators announced

The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Are they serious?

OPINION: The Greens aren’t serious people when it comes to the economy, so let’s not spend too much on their…

A hurry up!

OPINION: PM Chris Luxon is getting pinged lately for rolling out the old 'we're still a new government' line when…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter