SafeWork urges farmers to prioritise safety when working around farm vehicles following three fatalities this year

SafeWork NSW has stressed the importance of wearing seatbelts, using helmets, and selecting appropriate vehicles when operating side-by-side vehicles, quad bikes, and motorcycles following a series of incidents that have led to severe injuries or fatalities.

The safety watchdog says it is currently looking into an incident that occurred on February 14 in Coonamble, in which a 37-year-old man and a four-year-old child were seriously injured after being thrown from a quad bike. Preliminary investigations suggest that both individuals were not wearing helmets.

The workplace safety regulator urges individuals operating side-by-side vehicles to utilise all safety features, such as seatbelts and helmets, in order to prevent fatal or serious injuries in the event of a rollover.

SafeWork data shows that since 2001, over 56 fatalities have occurred in NSW due to quad bike incidents, with an additional 20 people losing their lives in side-by-side vehicle incidents.

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