www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/story/741…

Queensland farmers bear the important responsibility of ensuring they, their workers and other people on-farm are clear about their health and safety responsibilities and building a safety culture. It’s a duty they take very seriously with the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recording an average of six fatalities each year between 2015-16 to 2019-20. It was the third highest number of fatalities in Queensland over the same period compared to about 59 each year across all Queensland industries.

Quad bikes are one of the most common agents of fatality in Queensland, and have been involved in more than 50 fatalities across the state and a variety of industries since 2011. To help reduce the risk of fatality and injury associated with quad bikes, the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 was introduced by the federal government. Phase one of the national safety standard was implemented in October 2020 and required improved information for consumers including a rollover warning label and additional information in the operator’s manual. Queensland farmers should be aware that phase two of the safety standard begins on October 11, 2021. This next stage requires all new and imported second-hand general use quad bikes to be fitted with an operator protection device or have one integrated into their design, and to meet minimum requirements for stability.