Safer Farms has put out a safety alert following several incidents of quad bike rollovers due to farmers towing trailers for calf feeding.
The safety alerts are real-life documented incidents and key lessons to help raise awareness around risks. They are condensed into one-page handouts that managers can use in safety discussions with their teams.
The latest alert is the result of members of the farming community sharing incidents of rollovers while towing calf feeding trailers into paddocks.
This is part of a pattern of such incidents spiking in spring when calves are being put out in paddocks. While many have been near-misses, some drivers have sustained injuries and every rollover has the potential to be fatal or cause serious injury.
The risk of a rollover increases when the bike being used is not rated to tow the loaded weight of the calf feeder trailer, or is being driven on steep grades and uneven or slippery ground.
A sudden change in direction by the driver, driver inattention or distraction and driver inexperience are also key factors.
To reduce the risk of a rollover, it is recommended to feed calves where they can be accessed safely and to reconsider access if necessary so you can drive in and out safely.
Consider towing the milk feeding trailer with a larger vehicle, such as a farm ute, and using baffles in tanks, as this reduces sloshing, which can cause instability.
If there is no other option, and a quad has to be used, it is important to know the loaded weight for the feeder trailer. It is critical to never exceed the quad bike manufacturer’s towing capacity. For instance, 1000 litres of milk is 1000kg plus the weight of the trailer. Towing two trailers is not advised with a quad.
Reduce the load if conditions change or the trip is on uneven, slippery or steep terrain, and ensure drivers are adequately trained for the task and know when to stop if conditions are unsafe.
Ensure drivers have a reliable way to call for help and consider a crush-protection device or rollover protection for your quad bike.
To view the safety alerts, see www.farmwithoutharm.org.nz/safety-alerts. Alerts can be printed out for use in training and discussions and there is an option to be emailed when new safety alerts are added.
