The Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety report into farm safety yesterday should send alarm bells ringing for all Maitland farmers.
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The report said there had been 11 quad bike deaths so far this year, including nine on farms.
A number of quad bike accidents were reported in the Hunter during the long weekend, including one at Gloucester and two at Stockton.
Tocal College principal Cameron Archer said farmers should avoid the use of quad bikes at all costs.
“There are alternatives for mustering livestock. There are two-wheeled bikes and, for transport on farms, there are side-by-side vehicles,” he said.
According to Dr Archer, the main issue with quad bikes appears to be the high centre of gravity and narrow wheel base.
These make a loss of control quite easy.
The other problem comes through use, with riders carrying dangerous loads and other passengers.
Losing control of a quad bike often results in a rollover, which is the single largest cause of quad bike fatalities.
The argument that this brings up is: should crush prevention devices be mandatory on all quad bikes?
Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety director Tony Lower believes they should be.
Mr Lower said there were inherent problems with quad bikes that human behaviour exacerbated.
“There is a clear problem with the product, which human behaviour amplifies,” he said.
“It’s not just people being silly and misusing them.”
A crush prevention device may cost money to install, but there is no greater cost than that of a life that has been lost.