Farm vehicle warning after three deaths in NSW

The warning covers side-by-side vehicles, quad bikes and motorcycles, following incidents in which people, including children, have been seriously injured or killed.

In the most recent incident, a 37-year-old man and a four-year-old suffered serious injuries after being thrown from a quad bike at Coonamble on February 14. SafeWork NSW is investigating, with initial enquiries indicating neither person was wearing a helmet.

SafeWork is reminding side-by-side vehicle users to use every available safety feature, including seatbelts and helmets, to help protect operators and passengers from serious or fatal injuries during a rollover.

More than 56 people have died in quad bike incidents in NSW since 2001, while a further 20 have died on side-by-side vehicles. Quad bikes can roll over at low speeds and on flat ground, potentially trapping or crushing riders.

For farmers continuing to use quad bikes, SafeWork advises following the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly on load limits and keeping loads balanced. Heavy or unstable loads, such as chemical spraying tanks, can affect braking, shift the centre of gravity and increase the risk of losing control or rolling over.

Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said quad bikes can weigh 400 kilograms and travel at more than 50 kilometres per hour. He warned that children under 16 should never operate or ride as passengers on quad bikes, and highlighted the importance of using seatbelts even when vehicles have roll-over protective structures.

“Where SafeWork Inspectors come across workers operating side by side vehicles not wearing seatbelts or operating quad bikes without wearing helmets or having an operator protective device fitted, they will be taking a zero-tolerance approach and issue notices and fines.”

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