On 22 January 2010 Comcare issued a safety alert concerning the use of quad bikes (available on the Comcare website from 25 January 2010): “Employers who own and operate quad bikes should be aware of the hazards and potential safety risks. Following some recent accidents while operating quad bikes, a draft Code of Practice is currently being developed … Continue reading “Australia’s Comcare issues safety alert on quad bikes”
The New Zealand Department of Labour (DoL) has announced a period of public consultation on its OHS guidance on the safe use of off-road vehicles. The process will include a review of “Safe Use of ATVs on New Zealand Farms: Agricultural Guideline” publication. Interestingly the DoL says it “is looking to extend this publication to … Continue reading “NZ announces inquiry into the safety of farm vehicles”
The quad bike safety issue is hotting up on a range of fronts in Australia with the trade unions taking an active interest, meetings between bike manufacturers and safety designers, and the SafetyAtWorkBlog email box filling up with background content and opinion. One of these emails reminded me of some court action that was taken … Continue reading “Quad bike safety sensitivities”
On 30 November 2009, the CEO of The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Andrew McKellar, responded to some of the issues raised in recent SafetyAtWorkBlog articles concerning the safety of quad bikes. McKellar emphasised that a balanced approach to ATV safety discussions is required. He said: “In terms of a statistical outcome, the results show that, on balance, [ROPS] … Continue reading “Quad Bikes – industry response”
A SafetyAtWorkBlog reader drew our attention to a research report on quad bike safety by one of Australia’s most well-known researchers into agricultural safety, Lyn Fragar. The report entitled “ATV Injury on Australian Farms – The Facts – 2006” details a compilation of police, hospital and injury data from many years concerning ATVs or quad bikes. Recommendations and … Continue reading “Australian research figures into quad-bike deaths and injuries”
In January 2003, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) issued the following media statement outlining its initiatives to reduce the injuries associated with quad bikes on farms in Australia. SafetyAtWorkBlog is following up with the FCAI for further information on quad bike safety and any objections the FCAI has to roll-over protection structures. An earlier article … Continue reading “Further quad bike safety information”
On 8 October 2009, New Zealand’s Department of Labour issued a press release that stated “New research confirms the importance of work in agriculture safety and health. The research by Otago University’s Injury Prevention Research Unit found that the rate of serious injuries and fatalities on New Zealand farms has remained high in contrast to … Continue reading “The bad news and the good news of New Zealand agricultural safety”