SafeWork NSW has reminded people working on farms to take care when using side-by-side vehicles and quad bikes, following two fatal incidents within 24 hours. On Tuesday 26 November, a man was killed on a farm in Peelwood when the quad bike he was riding rolled over. In a separate incident on 27 November, a farm manager drowned on a farm located between Orange and Dubbo when the side-by-side vehicle he was driving rolled into a creek.

Since 2001, there have been more than 57 deaths in NSW from quad bike incidents, while a further 21 people have died on side-by-side vehicles. People working on farms have now been urged to manage the risks associated with quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles by making sure the vehicle is appropriate for the task, the terrain and the rider; avoiding steep terrain; riding at a speed that is suitable for the conditions and always wearing a helmet.

SafeWork NSW has also reminded businesses of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. Trent Curtin, Head of SafeWork NSW, said the two fatalities within such a short space of time are tragic and extended his sympathies to the families, friends and communities of the deceased.

“Those running farms and working on farms need to stop and have a look at the safety systems they have in place to prevent these types of incidents. Remember the safety features on your vehicle could save your life. Just by wearing a helmet you reduce the risk of fatality in a quad bike incident by 40%. 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. I want to remind all farmers and workers using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles to please take care,” Curtin said.

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