fbpx
Print this page
Monday, 16 August 2021 14:15

Quad bikes must be serviced regularly - WorkSafe

Written by  Staff Reporters
WorkSafe are reminding farmers and companies to regularly service and maintain quad bikes. WorkSafe are reminding farmers and companies to regularly service and maintain quad bikes.

WorkSafe New Zealand is reminding businesses that regularly servicing and maintenance quad bikes can save lives.

The reminder comes after the sentencing of two businesses in Timaru District Court on August 5.

Dairy Holdings Limited and Coryston Limited were sentenced under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 following the death of their employee in September 2019.

The employee, Stacey Rodgers, died as a result of crushing injuries which occurred during a quad bike rollover.

A WorkSafe investigation found that the condition of the quad bike was consistent with an ATV that had been in regular use but had not been serviced for a prolonged period. The quad bike’s brakes, steering, suspension and front bull bar/bumper were all in need of servicing/repair.

The investigation concluded the quad bike was not fit for use in a farming environment as it was in need of mechanical repair.

“There are far too many preventable quad bike accidents happening across New Zealand. This is another tragic reminder that farm vehicles such as quad bikes must be regularly serviced and adequately maintained,” says area investigation manager Steve Kelly.

On average, five people die in work-related quad bike accidents each year and many more are injured. Most quad bike injuries and fatalities are caused by the quad bike rolling over.

WorkSafe strongly recommends businesses consider installing crush protection devices (CPDs) on the back of quad bikes.

“A CPD is a simple and valuable way of keeping users safe,” says Kelly.

“While the companies had purchased a CPD for the quad bike involved, this was not installed at the time of the accident. However, the poor maintenance and servicing of the machine would still have exposed users to significant risk.”

“Dairy Holdings needed to have developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed an effective safe system of work for employees operating the quad bike at Coryston Farm. Coryston should have ensured the quad bike was properly serviced and maintained,” says Kelly.

A fine of $247,500 was imposed, with 50% apportioned to Dairy Holdings Limited.

Reparations of $110,000 was ordered to be paid to the victim’s family and apportioned equally between Dairy Holdings Limited an Coryston Limited.

More like this

Quad bike safety

Last year saw a major shift in the supply of ATVs or quad bikes in the Australian market, with the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 coming into effect on 11 October 2021.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…