Australian Farmers' Hearing 1994-2008
The Australian Centre for Agriculutral Health and Safety in conjunction with Hunter New England Area Heath Service have recently published a new... [more]
Farm Safety Week 19 - 23 July 2010
National Farm Safety Week is being held this year from 19 - 23 July 2010. Farmsafe Australia has developed a package that the media and... [more]
Farm Safety - quad bikes
By Maria Tickle ABC Radio National Wednesday, 21/07/2010 It's Farm Safety Week and one area the organisers Farmsafe Australia have in their... [more]
Vehicle and Motorbike Safety
Four wheeled motorbikes or quadbikes are becoming a leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. There are on average 12 farm quadbike related fatalities on Australian farms every year.
Whilst there have been significant farm safety success with the reduction of death and injury associated with tractor use on farms, and a reduction in the child related injury, quadbike and vehicle related injury is a major concern.
Farmsafe Australia have developed an Safety Guide for farmers, that can help farmers reduce the risk of serious injury associated with quadbike use on farm.
When farmers are considering using four whelled motorbikes for work on farms, Farmsafe encourage the following safety principles:
- Is the quadbike the most appropriate vehicle to do the job? A farm ute or small Utility Vehicle is better to carry passengers and heavy loads safely.
- When riding a quadbike, always wear a helmet.
- Always keep the quadbike well maintained and tyres correctly inflated according to manufacturers reccommendations.
- DO NOT allow riders under 16 years old to operate a quadbike.
- DO NOT carry passengers and
- DO NOT carry heavy loads or overload a quadbike. They become more unstable and may roll causing fatal crushing injuries.
More information can be found by downloading and reading the Farm Quad Bike Safety Guide.