Farmer quad bike safety the focus of Tamworth meeting

A quad bike safety meeting has been held in Tamworth, focusing on ways to support farmers in adopting new safety practices.

The Australian Quad Bike Safety Industry Action Group (IAG) hosted the meeting to discuss recent enhancements to the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program by the NSW Government.

Since the last IAG meeting at Dubbo in February, the NSW Government has doubled the value of rebates, announced free training and helmets for farmers and launched a confronting advertising campaign featuring Tamworth teen Amber Thomas, who was injured in a quad bike accident when she was just 14.

The executive director of SafeWork NSW, Peter Dunphy, said the IAG played a vital role in reducing the unacceptable level of quad bike-related injuries and fatalities.

“Quad bikes are a leading cause of death on Australian properties with 113 fatalities across Australia since 2011, including 32 in NSW,” Dunphy said.

“Every fatality has an immeasurable effect on families, friends and communities.

“The Quad Bike Safety Industry Action Group has a critical role in developing, implementing and promoting quad bike safety activities that help us achieve our target of no quad bike-related injuries or deaths in NSW by 2022.”

Derek Schoen, NSW Farmers president, said farmers had welcomed the enhanced training and rebates offered by the NSW Government.

“We all agree that no one wants to see another serious injury or fatality. I commend the government for spearheading these initiatives to help keep farmers safe,” Schoen said.

Members of the Quad Bike Safety Industry Action Group include SafeWork NSW, Local Land Services, Country Women’s Association, Department of Primary Industries – Tocal College, NSW Farmers Association, Australian Workers Union, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Australian Quad Distributors Association, Motor Traders Association, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

The $2 million Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program encourages and support land managers to adopt a range of harm prevention strategies to protect workers, family members and themselves.

For further information on the Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au. To apply for rebates, visit www.nswfarmers.org.au.