WorkSafe acknowledged farmers and others using quad bikes for work needed the policy clarified so they clearly understood what was acceptable in terms of carrying passengers.
It was acceptable only when there was no reasonable alternative, having considered factors such as availability of alternative vehicles, terrain and rider and passenger capability.
WorkSafe worked with Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ on the ruling.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act farmers had to identify and manage risks arising from work, so far as was reasonably practicable.
WorkSafe’s position was that single-seat bikes should not normally be used to carry passengers. Carrying a passenger on a quad bike not designed for more than one person could increase the risk of accidents by making it more unstable, more difficult to control and more likely to roll.
“WorkSafe’s guidance is that you should use the safest vehicle for the job,” its agriculture leader Al McCone said.
“When carrying a passenger this would mean using a vehicle specifically designed for more than one person.”
When a passenger was carried, appropriate mitigation measures must be taken – including limiting speed, briefing the passenger on best practice riding and avoid unsuitable terrain.
If carrying a passenger on a quad bike was a recurring farmers should look seriously at acquiring an alternative vehicle suitable for the circumstances as soon as was practicable.
The clarification also stipulated carrying a child as a passenger on a quad bike created a particular set of risks.
As with the general principle, a child may ride as a passenger only if there was no reasonable alternative and following an assessment of the related risk and risk mitigation measures.
“This is a good example of WorkSafe and farmers working together to find practical solutions,” B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor said.
“We all want less accidents and injuries on our farms so the important thing is that we always consider risk and this guidance emphasises that,” he said.
“It’s great to have this clarification on an issue that has been confusing for farmers,” Federated Farmers health and safety spokeswoman Katie Milne said.
“It also encourages farmers to think about the risk their activities create and to manage their work in line with that risk.”
