Farmhand death caused by inadequate maintenance of quad bike

WorkSafe New Zealand has said that the fatal quad bike rollover involving a Tararua farmhand might have been averted had the farm manager maintained the bike in optimal condition.

According to the New Zealand workplace safety regulator, defective brakes, inconsistent tire pressure, and inadequate suspension were identified as contributing factors in the incident involving the bike that overturned at a low speed, resulting in the death of a 31-year-old farm worker in Eketāhuna in November 2022.

“This tragedy should be the lightning rod the agriculture sector needs to up its game on quad bike safety,” says WorkSafe’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa.

“First and foremost, WorkSafe strongly recommends installing a crush protection device on the back of a quad bike.”

The farm manager and quad bike owner was recently convicted for violations of health and safety regulations at the Wellington District Court.

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