Quads and Motorbikes

Quad and Motorbike safety
Resources

Quad and Motorbike safety

Quad bikes are the leading cause of on-farm fatality in Australia with an average of 15 deaths per year. They are also the leading cause of death of children on farms between the ages of 5 and 14.

The main causes of death and severe injury are tipping and rollover resulting in crush injury, asphyxia, neck and head injury.

Work Health and Safety risk associated with use of quads on Australian farms should therefore be assessed as HIGH.

As an employer or person conducting a business on the farm, you have a legal responsibility to ensure that everyone who uses quads and/or motorbikes is safe.

Use the resources below to ensure that you comply with this requirement.

By law, you are responsible for all people who operate quads or motorbikes on your farm.

Update Oct 2019: the federal government has announced a mandatory standard to improve safety which applies to all quad bikes with additional requirements for general use quad bikes from 11 October 2020. The safety standard has 3 elements: improved information for potential purchasers, enhanced quad bike stability, and rollover protection to reduce injuries and deaths. The safety standard is made under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) – read more here

Victoria quad bike safety rebate scheme has been extended until 30 June 2020 – read more here

Work Health and Safety regulations require that you must assess and manage the risks to health and safety associated with quads and motorbikes.

A good place to start is Step by step – Setting up for quad and motorbike safety on your farm

Resources

The Farm Safety Manual aims to make it straightforward for dairy farmers to build and improve a comprehensive farm safety system.

Farm Safety Manual resources
QMB: Quick safety scan	PDF
QMB: Step by step – Setting up for quad and motorbike safety on your farm	PDF
QMB: Safety self assessment	PDF
QMB: Farm policy	Word
QMB: SOP Quad bike	Word
QMB: Induction training record	Word

Further information
Focus Farm – Quad Bike safety	Video
8 x Quad Bike videos (Worksafe Victoria)	Webpage (links to videos)
Common statements about Quads Bikes – myth, excuse or fact? (Dairy Australia)	PDF
Quad Bike safety research (SafeWork NSW)	Video
Interactive risk assessment – Quad rollovers (WorkSafe Vic)	Website
Financial subsidies – purchasing safer vehicles: Victoria (NFF) & NSW Quad Bike Safety (NSW farmers)	Websites
Quad rolls and back-flipping with and without CPD	Video
How to: Quad bike pre-operational checks and riding	Video
Helmet that meets equestrian Australian standard & NZ standard for ATV paddock use (QB industries)	Website
Helmet fitting and care guide (QB industries)	PDF