Friday, 22 May 2015 10:27

Worksafe wants quad bike issues sorted

Written by 
Worksafe New Zealand chair, Gregor Coster. Worksafe New Zealand chair, Gregor Coster.

Worksafe New Zealand’s chair says he’s asked the senior managers at his organisation to try to broker a deal with farmers over the carrying of passengers on quads.

This arises from the huge outcry from farmers and industry organisations about WorkSafe threatening to prosecute farmers who carry passengers on their quads.      

Professor Gregor Coster told Rural News that he’s asked WorkSafe managers to work with farmers and the manufacturers of quads to try to find “a way forward” regarding carrying pillion passengers on quads. 

There is confusion about the manufacturers’ recommendations on carrying passengers. ‘Pillion passenger’ is said to mean a person sitting on the same seat as the driver as opposed to being on the back of the quad. There are also claims that carrying spray gear on the back of quads is more dangerous than a passenger.

Coster says while the work is going on, WorkSafe is sticking to its policies on quads.

“But surely it should not be beyond the wit of a group of wise heads – I am referring to farmers in particular – to come up with a sound protocol and guidance for the safe carriage of people on quad bikes,” he says.  

“Federated Farmers has provided excellent leadership in this space. They have a fact sheet on their website and we support that. Many farmers have grasped the importance of them and their family and whanau coming home safely every day. That’s our focus and we want to see everyone come home healthy and safe.”

Coster was full of praise for the way the Ahuwhenua Trophy management team ran a large field day at a Gisborne farm recently. About 60 quads and side-by-side vehicles were used on a tour of Maringa Station. Strict rules were imposed on those attending the day: helmets were required on quads and side-by-sides, seat belts used on the side-by-sides and no passengers were allowed on quads. 

Coster and three of his staff were at the field day

“Coming to the Ahuwhenua Trophy day has been a great experience. It’s been great to see so many farmers so well briefed on health and safety and carrying out those proper practices,” he told Rural News. “It shows that farmers can do this and all credit to them.”

More like this

Tributes for a top farmer

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards has acknowledged the tragic passing of Morrinsville farmer Jeff Bolstad.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

Winter grazing warning

Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.

ANZ defends farm lending rates

The country's largest lender to the agriculture sector says it's not favouring home loans over farm and business lending.

Machinery & Products

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo…

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Review SOEs!

OPINION: NIWA has long weathered complaints about alleged stifling of competition in forecasting, and more recently, claims of lack of…

Bank reset

OPINION: Adding to calls to get banks to 'back off', NZ Agri Brokers director Andrew Laming has revealed that the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter