SafetyAtWorkBlog has been informed that an Irish backpacker was working on a farm near Gravesend in New South Wales in late May 2012 and received serious back injuries when the quad bike, from which he was spot spraying weeds, rolled on an embankment. The man was taken to hospital after contacting the farmer for assistance. … Continue reading “Serious quad bike incident in New South Wales”
Dr Tony Lower of the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health & Safety has released new information about deaths and injuries associated with quad bike use in Australia for 2011. His report lists media reports that “There were at least 23 quad bike related fatalities and 56 major injuries, many of which are likely to be life‐changing…” He also continues … Continue reading “The fact that quad bike use is dangerous needs a fresh communication strategy”
In February 2012, the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) released a research report into the efficacy of crush protection devices (CPDs) on all-terrain vehicles or, more accurately, quad-bikes. The report summary states that “Experimental tests conducted by the University of Southern Queensland indicate that the Quad Bar CPD is capable of either … Continue reading “An Australian research review blasts US quad bike research”
The Weekly Times newspaper can feel justifiably chuffed that it has played a significant role in changing some of the attitudes on the safe operation of quad bikes. It’s front page article on 23 November 2011 reports on a considerable backdown by quad bike manufacturers in Australia on the issue of rollover protection structures (ROPS) … Continue reading “Quad bike manufacturers withdraw from the safety campaign”
In response to the Weekly Times’ articles on quad bike safety and the mandatory use of helmets, one letter writer in this week’s edition of the newspaper wrote: “More state lunacy… Accidents happen, legislation cannot stop this. Free people have the right to decide such things for themselves.” The letter writer has a strong belief … Continue reading “Social obligation is lost on some”
In July 2011, it was noted that the quad bike manufacturers had revised the wording of their poster about quad bike safety. The website that provided an online version of that poster is now under redevelopment. However Australia’s Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities (HWSA) has released its own poster outlining the basic elements of quad bike … Continue reading “New quad bike poster establishes a safe operation benchmark”
The New South Wales Department of Industry and Investment has released a formal Health and Safety Alert of quad bikes. As it is not yet available online, it is included below. Kevin Jones Footnote: Quad bike safety will be given a rest for a little while unless there is a significant issue. KJ