SafeWork NSW is urging farms to enforce safe quad bike use after a man was injured and an agricultural business fined for failing in their workplace duty.
Integrated Agricultural Developments Pty Ltd pleaded guilty and will have to pay a total of $195,000 plus legal costs, after a 42-year-old labour hire farmhand placed at its vineyard suffered fractures to his pelvis and back when the quad bike he was riding rolled during a backburn near Orange in June 2021.
Integrated Agricultural Developments was prosecuted for two offences, the first relating to safety failures at the workplace and the second for failing to consult with the labour hirer about the work and risks in the workplace.
The business, which operates vineyards in the Central Tablelands, failed to enforce the wearing of helmets on quad bikes and did not have an operator protective device fitted to the bike. It was convicted on 27 June 2024 and has 28 days from that date to appeal the decision.
Quad bikes, tractors, side-by-side vehicles, and machinery are responsible for most farm related fatalities. Since 2001, there have been more than 56 deaths in NSW from quad bike incidents.
For farmers who use quad bikes, SafeWork NSW advises users to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions, particularly relating to load limits and keeping loads balanced. Heavy or unstable loads on quad bikes like chemical tanks for spraying can affect braking, alter the centre of gravity, and make the vehicle difficult to control and more prone to rollover.
SafeWork NSW has a free advisory service that can help farmers create an action plan to cover safety issues and qualify them for a $1000 safety rebate that can be used to make farm improvements. Further information can be found on the NSW Government website.
Get further information about quad bike safety.
The court judgment can be found on the Caselaw NSW website.
Head of SafeWork NSW Trent Curtin said:
"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 will issue notices where appropriate."
"Not enforcing workplace safety can not only cost you dearly but may cost your workers their lives. It is not worth it. Now is the time to review your farm safety and take steps to make sure your workplace is a safe workplace."
