SafeWork NSW emphasises the urgent need for farm workers to exercise caution when operating side-by-side vehicles and quad bikes, following two fatal accidents within a 24-hour window. The urgency of implementing robust health and safety policies, such as Bluesafe SWMS or the Bluesafe WHS Management System, can’t be overstated.
On Tuesday, 26 November at 2.45pm, a tragic incident occurred on a farm in Peelwood in New South Wales’ south-east, where a man was fatally injured when the quad bike he was operating turned over. Shortly after, at 1pm the following day (27 November), a farm manager drowned on a farm situated between Orange and Dubbo. He met with a fatal accident when the side-by-side vehicle he was driving rolled into a creek.
This brings the total number of deaths resulting from quad bike accidents in NSW beyond 57 since 2001. Furthermore, an additional 21 people have lost their lives to side-by-side vehicle accidents.
SafeWork NSW strongly encourages those working on farms to regulate the hazards and risks associated with quad bikes and side-by-side-vehicles by implementing effective work safety products such as WHS management systems and SWMS. Businesses are prompted to fulfill their obligation of identifying hazards and ensuring health and safety risks are managed effectively, according to the standards set by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
For detailed information on quad bike and side-by-side vehicles safety, please visit our dedicated webpage.
In the words of Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW: “It’s deeply saddening to encounter two fatalities within such a brief period, and my deepest condolences go out to their families, friends, and communities. Those who manage and work on farms should pause and assess the safety systems they have in place to avert such incidents.
Please don’t forget that your vehicle’s safety features have the potential to save your life. Wearing a helmet alone can reduce the risk of fatality in a quad bike accident by 40 per cent.
When SafeWork Inspectors identify workers operating side-by-side vehicles without seatbelts or quad bikes without helmets or operator protective devices, they will employ a zero-tolerance policy and issue notices and fines.
Let’s prioritise safety when using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles.”
Original article link: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-media-releases/two-farming-fatalities-within-24-hours-sparks-safety-warning