Holiday Farm Safety: SafeWork NSW Warns Against Quad Bike Risks

SafeWork NSW is urging farmers across the state to stay vigilant over the summer holidays, as farms experience an influx of visitors, including children and extended family. While farms are an attractive destination during the festive period, they remain high-risk workplaces where strict safety measures, WHS management systems and clear policies are critical.

Farmers are being strongly encouraged to refuse requests from visitors to use farm machinery for recreation or entertainment, particularly quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles (SSVs). These vehicles are designed as work equipment, not toys, and should only be operated by trained, competent adults in line with farm safety procedures and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS).

Quad bikes continue to be a leading cause of death and serious injury on Australian farms. Since 2011, quad bikes have been linked to 63 fatalities in NSW alone, with 29 of those deaths involving children under 16 years of age. Side-by-side vehicles have been associated with a further 21 deaths, including 8 children.

Tragically, many child fatalities occur when they are passengers, often travelling at low speed, around the house yard and on seemingly safe, flat ground. This reinforces that risk is present even during short, routine trips and when vehicles are not being driven aggressively.

The primary cause of serious injury and death involving quad bikes is rollover. Rollovers can happen without warning, including at low speeds and on flat terrain. When a rollover occurs, operators and passengers may be thrown, trapped, or crushed beneath the vehicle, leading to catastrophic injuries or death.

SafeWork NSW is reminding anyone visiting a farm these holidays to take a cautious approach. Children should be closely supervised at all times, kept well away from operating machinery and never allowed to ride adult-sized quad bikes or travel as passengers on them. Visitors should follow all farm safety rules and respect the property owner’s instructions.

Farm owners and managers are encouraged to embed these controls within their WHS management systems and safety policies, clearly documenting who is authorised to use vehicles, the conditions of use and how visitors are managed on site. Formal policies and procedures can help ensure these rules are consistently applied and communicated to workers and guests. For support in developing safety documentation, farmers may consider resources such as WHS policies and procedures templates available online, including from providers like BlueSafe.

To reduce reliance on higher-risk vehicles, SafeWork NSW is also encouraging the adoption of safer technology, such as drones. Drones can assist with checking water points, inspecting and spraying crops, mustering livestock and monitoring fences, often removing the need for a worker to ride a quad bike or SSV into difficult terrain.

To help businesses invest in safer options, eligible small businesses can access a SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate of up to $1,000 for approved safety improvements. This may include purchasing items such as drones, roll bars, helmets and other equipment to enhance farm vehicle safety. Farmers are encouraged to check their eligibility and apply via the NSW Government website.

SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer emphasised that farms remain workplaces even during holiday periods, with all the associated risks and responsibilities. She stressed that quad bikes are not suitable for children, stating that no child under 16 should operate or ride as a passenger on an adult-sized quad bike.

The Commissioner also highlighted that many serious incidents occur during seemingly harmless activities, such as slow rides around the property. She urged families visiting rural NSW to remain alert, supervise children closely and ensure safety takes priority over entertainment.

By enforcing strict rules around vehicle use, implementing robust WHS management systems, and using safer alternatives such as drones where possible, farmers can significantly reduce the risk of tragic incidents. SafeWork NSW wants every rural property to enjoy a safe Christmas and a healthy start to the New Year.

Further information on managing farm risks, developing WHS policies and improving visitor safety is available from SafeWork NSW and other reputable safety resources.