Farm Vehicle safety —including side-by-side vehicles, utes, cars, trucks, quad bikes, and motorbikes—remain one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Australian farms. These incidents impact not only workers but also family members and children, often during everyday tasks. Everyone on the farm is at risk, whether operating machinery, riding as a passenger, or simply nearby.

Most serious incidents involve rollovers, collisions, or run overs, often linked to not wearing seatbelts, riding in trays, or lack of proper training. Authorities like WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work Australia urge all farm operators to prioritise safety by using seatbelts, installing rollover protection, keeping children away from work areas, and ensuring all workers are properly inducted and trained. Making safety a habit and simple actions save lives.

Fatigue increases the risk of vehicle incidents—especially during long hours and peak seasons.

As a farm operator or employer, you have a legal duty to manage fatigue and keep everyone safe around vehicles.

Resources

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