Quad Bikes are Risky

Quad bikes are a major cause of death and serious injury on farms each year in Australia.

Most quad bike related incidents are associated with rollovers.

The risk of a rollover is increased if the quad bike is crossing a slope, towing an attachment, travelling over rocky or uneven ground, or carrying a heavy or unstable load.

If you own or manage a farm, it is not only common sense to ensure people’s health and safety are not put at risk, it is a legal responsibility.

Apart from identifying risks to yourself, it is also wise to ensure workers and others at the workplace are also safe. Take steps to eliminate risks, or where this is not possible, minimise them so far as is reasonably practicable.

If you just work on a farm, you must do everything you can to protect your own health and safety.

Safe Work Australia has produced an Information Sheet which contains material about managing the   risks of using quad bikes in rural workplaces, including: 

• determining farm vehicle needs, and
• identifying other options to find the most suitable farm vehicles. 

The information also covers the prevention of hazards to workers on quad bikes including: 

• rollovers and crush protection devices  
• training  
• using appropriate personal protective equipment, such as helmets.