Sukkar also said within 24 months, all new general use quad bikes must comply with minimum standards for stability on slopes and be fitted with operator protection devices or rollover bars.

“Quad bikes are the leading cause of fatalities in Australia of all consumer products that aren’t regulated.” The new safety standards, recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, aim to “address the high risk of rollovers, which is especially important for many of our farmers and their families who use these vehicles daily”, the Assistant Treasurer said.

“Importantly, these requirements will put the onus on foreign manufacturers to supply safer quad bikes into Australia, and protect Australian farmers and others who use them,” he said.

ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh applauded the announcement, and encouraged state and territory governments to continue supporting complementary safety measures like the use of helmets and rebate schemes for fitting rollover protection devices to quad bikes.

“We know that around 60 per cent of quad bike fatalities are caused by rollovers, and the operator dies from asphyxia in around half of these. Research indicates that roughly 50 per cent of these operators would have survived the crash had they not been crushed or pinned by the quad bike,” Keogh said in stressing the importance of rollover bars.

Recently WorkSafe Victoria announced it was extending the Quad Bike Safety Rebate.

The quad bike safety rebate has been extended to 30 June 2020 and is now open to farmers whose main source of income is not from farming.

Victorians who operate a farming business can access $600 for an operator protective device (OPD) or up to $1200 for two OPDs, or $1200 towards an alternative vehicle such as a side-by-side.

“Because of the Victorian Government safety rebate I was able to use that to buy a side-by-side” - Peter Burgi, Gruyere farmer.

Recent research projects by the University of NSW Transport and Road Safety unit were unable to unearth any evidence of rollover bars causing serious injuries or deaths, and found quad bikes are vulnerable to fatal rollover events when traversing “relatively small bumps on typical grassy slopes at moderate speeds”.

How we can assist

The Victorian Chambers Health Safety and Wellbeing team are highly qualified and experienced in reviewing, preparing and improving your procedures and practices in regards to the utilisation of any forms of mobile plant and equipment, and upskilling your staff in these complex safety management needs.

For more information and support for this area of HSW consulting, training and other support please contact us on 03 8662 5333 or hsw@victorianchamber.com.au to discuss your needs.