This is a huge change – 17 work-related quad bike deaths in 2017–18. This overall decline, particularly on farms, has come despite mandatory rollover protection being rolled out in 2020-21. In fact, the report reveals a particularly alarming statistic. In the past 20 years, 95 percent of all occupational quad bike fatalities occurred in agricultural settings. Almost two-thirds of these deaths are from rollovers. Such statistics indicate a critical need for enhanced safety standards in agricultural work environments.
As chairperson of Farmsafe Australia, Felicity Richards, says the use of helmets and rollover protection is a proven lifesaving measure. Statistics show that quad bike fatalities were at their peak in 2016-17. In reaction, regulators quickly moved to implement stronger protections from quad bike use on farms. The five-year trend indicates a drop in fatalities, albeit a small one. This drop is particularly apparent in Victoria and Queensland, due to stronger enforcement of a nation-wide safety regulation.
The Importance of Rollover Protection
The report looked at the effectiveness of mandatory ROPs (rollover protection devices) that were required to be phased in starting in 2018. Tony Lower, an honorary associate professor from AgHealth Australia, highlighted how pivotal these measures are to improving safety. According to Lower, “It’s addressed a long-term issue with the stability of quad bikes and the potential if they do roll over to prevent crush and asphyxiation injuries.”
In neighbouring Victoria there has been a dramatic turnaround in safety outcomes. The state has adopted more stringent standards for installation of operator protection devices. These safety improvements have been tremendously successful at preventing deaths and rollovers. Lower remarked on the comprehensive approach taken by farmers and authorities, stating, “They’ve worked with farmers to ensure that things like helmets and the vehicles are in good maintenance.”
Richards expressed optimism about the trajectory of quad bike safety, noting that “we’re really hopeful that quad bikes will ultimately follow that trajectory of tractors … with the introduction of rollover protection, there’s been incredibly significant improvements in outcomes.” That’s a sign of a reassuring trend in the direction of safer, less environmentally damaging farming practices.
Regional Variations in Fatalities
Despite a statewide decline in fatalities, the report emphasizes significant regional differences. In neighbouring New South Wales, there has been a marked increase in deaths even after the implementation of these new safety measures. This divergence raises questions about the effectiveness of safety protocols and whether additional efforts are needed to address specific regional challenges.
Both Victoria and then Queensland have seen significant reductions in quad bike deaths. Lower attributes this success to increased regulatory enforcement and community involvement in safety protocols. “One of our recommendations is to actually look exactly at what Victoria’s done, why it’s worked, and look at that in more in-depth,” he stated.
“Rule changes like this can have significant outcomes on people’s lives,” Lower added, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and adaptation to enhance quad bike safety further.
Future Directions for Quad Bike Safety
Richards agrees that new data would bolster the connection between tougher regulatory enforcement and a reduction in fatalities. He recommends more research to investigate this relationship. “It would be interesting to see if further research could confirm that regulatory enforcement was making a difference,” she noted.
The emphasis continues to be on developing a culture of safety with quad bike drivers. It will take a concerted effort among all stakeholders to prioritize the safety of our infrastructure assets, mandating routine maintenance inspections and optimizing operator training standards. As one unnamed speaker highlighted, “Our focus has been on encouraging people to create a culture where they are doing things like always having (operator protection devices) on the bike, always assessing the terrain and the training of the person using it, and always wearing the helmet.”
