Tractors, quad bikes, and farm bikes can be found on nearly every New Zealand farm and lifestyle block. These vehicles make farming much easier, but safety measures must be followed to prevent injury. This page provides tips to prevent injuries and links to downloadable documents about vehicle safety.
Tractors
Tractors are involved in nearly 20% of all fatal accidents on farms. Consult the following guides for advice on safe tractor operation:
- ACC5239 Tractor Safety (PDF 538K)
- Agricultural tractors – safe operation (PDF 22K) (external link)
- Approved code of practice for roll over protective structures on tractors in agricultural operations (external link)
All terrain vehicles (quad bikes)
Quad bikes have certainly made farming easier, but it’s worth remembering that they are now the leading cause of death from injury on New Zealand farms. You can reduce risks significantly by following the safety guidelines that come with the vehicle, and avoid dangerous riding manoeuvres. If you employ staff on your farm, lead by example – observe safety protocols yourself, and show staff how to operate quad bikes properly.
- ACC5435 Quad Bike Safety (PDF 367K)
- Take Care – ATV factsheet (external link)
- Safe use of ATVs on New Zealand farms (external link)
Farm bikes
Download the following guide for advice on the safe use of farm bikes.
- Safe use of two-wheeled farm bikes in agriculture (PDF 103K) (external link)
Safety tips for vehicle use
Riding a vehicle
Take special care with corners and slopes, slowing down to an appropriate speed. Consider taking alternative routes if necessary, or walking, if the terrain or ground conditions are unsuitable for safe travel. Remember that body position has an important influence on the stability and handling of a quad bike when cornering and riding on slopes.
Follow manufacturer’s recommendations about maximum loads, as overloading can affect the stability.
Ensure the load is evenly distributed and firmly secured.
Take special care riding a vehicle while mustering animals. See Animal handling for more information.
Wear protective clothing
Always wear a helmet, strong footwear and suitable eye protection when on a bike or quad bike. Long sleeves and trousers are also recommended.
The vehicle
Regularly maintain and service your vehicle. Take the time to get familiar with the controls and handling of any new vehicle you operate. Check that brakes, steering, tyres and throttle control are in good working order before use.
Children should not operate quad bikes
While quad bikes are a ‘must have’ item on many farms, they’re not a toy, and for that reason, kids shouldn’t be riding them.
Young children do not have the physical coordination, strength or judgment needed to handle an adult’s quad bike. They may look like they’re safe and easy for kids to use, but in reality they’re not.
One of the main reasons adult-sized quad bikes pose such a risk for kids is that they’re very heavy. This makes them a potential death trap if they roll on top of a child – something that can happen easily if they’re not handled properly, even on the flat.
So please – ride alone and keep everyone safe. No passengers, no kids, no exceptions. This is because quad bikes need ‘active riding’ for control, and passengers will affect the vehicle’s centre of gravity, increasing the chance of it rolling over.
And tell your kids the adult’s quad bike is out of bounds until their 16th birthday – they mightn’t be happy about it, but they will be a lot safer!
Last updated: 17 September 2010