New South Wales Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson

New Program Targets Quad Bike Safety

Victor P Taffa

Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson has announced a New South Wales (NSW) Government program designed to reduce quad bike injuries on farms.

The new SafeWork NSW Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, due to commence in late July, includes a $2 Million rebate package to encourage and support farmers to adopt a range of harm prevention strategies to protect their workers and themselves.

“We know that Quad bikes are currently the leading cause of death on Australian farms with 220 deaths in the past 16 years and thousands more people seriously injured.” Ms. Hodgkinson said.

 

“The program has been designed to improve awareness of safety issues and provide practical and financial assistance to farmers to reduce injuries and save lives.”

Key focus areas of the Program include safe use, safer vehicles in workplaces, operator protective devices, training and awareness and promotion of the use of helmets.

“The NSW Government will be offering rebates of up to $500 towards the purchase of compliant helmets, Operator Protective Devices, the purchase of a safer vehicle, such as a side-by-side vehicle and undertaking training courses tailored for farmers.” Ms. Hodgkinson said.

In 2013, SafeWork NSW funded a $1.3 Million world-first testing and research project into quad bike safety, and its recommendations considered as part of New South Wales and Queensland Coronial Inquiries into quad bike deaths last year.

“Quad bike related fatalities on farms are at an unacceptable level and it’s time to take action.”

“With more than 200,000 quad bikes in operation across Australia in both a commercial and recreational capacity, and this program is a step forward to reducing injuries and saving lives.” Ms. Hodgkinson said.

The small business rebate available for farmers under the NSW Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program is a time and funds limited incentive that commences 19 July 2016.