I AM going to stay with the topic of farm safety a little longer.

Specifically, over two weeks, I will identify four of the most common causes of accidents in the rural industry and provide suggestions of practical steps you can take to avoid them.

The information here today has been helpfully sourced from information published by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

1 – Quad bike

• Causes of accidents: inadequate training of rider, speeding, putting passengers on bikes not designed for passengers, rough/uneven terrain and children riding adult sized bikes.
• Practical steps: ensure riders are both trained and competent, know your bike and its design capabilities (e.g. passengers, child bike for those under 16 years), keep a lookout for hazards in terrain (warn others if you know about hazards), wear safety gear (helmet, gloves, covered shoes), drive at a speed suitable to the conditions and terrain.

2 – Utes and farm vehicles

• Causes of accidents: passengers in the tray without restraint, unlicensed/inexperienced drivers, licensed drivers who do not exhibit safe driving skills, lack of maintenance, children around vehicles unsupervised.
• Practical steps: never allow/carry passengers in the tray, drivers should be both licensed and exhibit safe driving skills, keep vehicle well maintained and repaired, do not allow children to be unsupervised around vehicles and equipment (always keep a lookout regardless), wear a seatbelt, drive at a speed suitable to the conditions and terrain.

Until next week – Keep it Legal!

Katie Caldow
kcaldow@walkerpender.com.au

*The legal information in this article is of a general nature only and not intended to be legal advice to rely upon.