Let’s talk about quad bike safety

QUAD bike safety is an important topic.

This is particularly so in our community where there are farms and rural workplaces that often use quad bikes.

The reality is that quad bikes are a major risk area for serious injury or death.

Safe Work Australia compiles the data relating to quad bike fatalities.

In the eight years from 2011 to 2018, there were 126 quad bike fatalities in Australia (40 in Queensland). Sixty-two were workers, 76 were the result of a rollover and 77 occurred on a farm/property.

Whether you are the owner or operator of a rural workplace, farm or property, you owe a duty of care to the users of quad bikes on your property.

The user may be an employee or non-employee.

Whatever the case, adequate steps must be taken to address the many safety risks that arise from operating a quad bike. For workplaces and businesses, you will also have duties and obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

Safe Work Australia publishes information specifically on this risk area, which is publicly available at www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au, for a guide for managing the risks of machinery in rural workplaces and quad bikes in rural workplaces.

They also provide guidance on ways to prevent quad bike injuries and death.

Quad bike safety is currently being reviewed nationally and there may be regulatory changes in this area soon.

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.