Four farmers have been killed in quad bike roll-over accidents in the past three weeks, promoting WorkSafe to “sound the alarm” over the dangers the vehicles can pose.
WorkSafe said the fatalities coincided with the start of the lambing and calving season and it is urging rural New Zealand to focus on the risks associated with quad bikes.
WorkSafe principal inspector Graham Bates said all four fatalities are under investigation.
The first occurred on July 18 in Wairarapa. It was followed by another on July 22 in Canterbury, one on July 26 in Southland, and most recently in Northland on July 30.
“Our sympathy is with every family and community mourning these sudden deaths,” said Bates.
“Although our investigations are in their early stages, the trend is worrying enough for us to sound the alarm already.”
He said carrying out a risk assessment of terrain and tasks should be the top priority for farmers before getting on a quad bike.
“This is a time of year when we are experiencing variable weather and growth, and variable ground conditions. Sloped surfaces and steep terrain can be especially problematic and have sadly been a factor in some of the recent cases.”
Farm vehicle incidents are one of the top two causes of workplace deaths in New Zealand, which is why agriculture is a priority sector under WorkSafe’s new strategy.
Bates said WorkSafe is targeting the biggest risks and working with the sector to improve health and safety in agriculture.
“Farming consists of a never-ending list of tasks and constant reprioritisation. However, we cannot let those challenges contribute to loss of life or injury. The people with the most power to influence this are those on the ground each day doing the work,” said Bates.
Safer Farms chair and Farm Without Harm ambassador Lindy Nelson said it is “heartbreaking” to learn of the deaths.
“These people are all farming partners who didn’t come home. This has a massive impact on families, communities and the industry. We don’t want to lose our great people.”
Nelson said farmers often think their experience will keep them safe but it is vital they have a “fail safe” strategy in place for when things go wrong.
Safer Farms is pushing for farmers to use engineering control, effectively safety equipment “designed to take the harm out of our system”.
Crush protection or roll bars on quad bikes are one option.
A programme aimed at encouraging farmers to install crush protection devices on their quad bikes was recently launched and attracted strong interest.
The Safer Rides programme has had 110 farm businesses from across the country sign up to the pilot scheme, which offered a discount of up to 75% on crush protection devices (CPDs) from retailers Trax Equipment and Quadbar.
The initiative is being driven by Safer Farms in conjunction with partners Rabobank, ANZCO Foods, LIC, Craigmore Sustainables and PGG Wrightson as part of the Farm Without Harm strategy.
Nelson said they are hoping to obtain more funding to expand the programme.
“It costs to have safety equipment in place but it also costs if it’s not there.”
WorkSafe’s recommendations for reducing the risks of harm on farm include:
• Consider installing a crush protection or rollover protection device on your quad bike.
• Choose the right vehicle for the job and ensure that the driver is competent.
• Always use your seatbelt and helmet.
• Consider undergoing quad bike training.
• Prioritise maintenance. That should cover attachments, good tyres and brakes.
• Remember, tired people make mistakes.
•Ensure that the vehicle is safely stopped and brakes are fully engaged before getting off.
• Don’t be afraid to seek assistance when you need to – neighbouring farmers are always more than willing to lend a hand.
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A feature documentary film, Six Inches of Soil, has been screened in NZ cinemas recently. It follows three young British farmers through their first year of transitioning to regenerative practices.
The film has been brought here by regenerative farmer network Quorum Sense and its chair Becks Smith talks with Bryan about the network, the film and why we’ve been talking about regen the wrong way.
