The deaths of four farmers killed in separate quad bike roll-overs in the past three weeks have prompted a warning from WorkSafe.
WorkSafe is currently investigating the four deaths, which all saw roll-overs coinciding with the start of lambing and calving season.
The first occurred on July 18 in Wairarapa, followed by one on July 22 in Canterbury and one on July 26 in Southland. The most recent incident occurred on July 30 at a farm in Northland.
In a warning to farmers today, WorkSafe described the deaths as being part of a "worrying trend".
"Our sympathy is with every family and community mourning these sudden deaths. Although our investigations are in their early stages, the trend is worrying enough for us to sound the alarm already," WorkSafe principal inspector Graham Bates said.
He said doing risk assessments of the terrain must be a "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," Bates said.
Bates said farm vehicle accidents were 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".
"We are 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."
WorkSafe offered some recommendations to reduce potential harm while using farming equipment.
They 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.
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
