11 November 2013

Federated Farmers welcomes coronial recommendations

Federated Farmers is welcoming recommendations contained in Coroner Shortland’s written findings on quad bike related deaths in 2010 and 2011.

“Can we express our heartfelt commiserations to the family and loved ones of those people subject to the Coroner’s findings,” says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Health & Safety spokesperson.

“The one thing we welcome in Coroner Shortland’s findings is that it recognises the practical realities of using quad bikes in a farm setting. Indeed, many of the recommendations are current industry practice and that is a good thing.

“There are far more quad bikes in New Zealand than registered road-going motorcycles. Many farmers will spend hundreds of hours a year operating a quad bike because they have become the farmer’s Swiss Army knife.

“That said, they cannot do everything and as Coroner Shortland noted it is about choosing the right equipment for the job at hand.

“We also agree with Coroner Shortland that farmers must ensure quad bike users are trained in their safe operation. Being a motorbike, quad bikes require active riding for them to be safely used over rural terrain.

“There are a lot of providers of training and it is essential quad bike users know their machine and its limits.

“Federated Farmers stresses that users must ride age-appropriate bikes whether that is a quad or a farm bike. We are also supportive of restricting the minimum age of solo riders on full size quad bikes to 16.

“When it comes to safety messaging the entire industry is pushing it and that includes helmet use. The Ministry for Business Innovation & Employment says that helmet use while operating a quad bike is effectively the law under the Health and Safety in Employment Act.

“The instalment of alarms to alert riders if they have left their quad bikes in reverse gear is another initiative the Federation has promoted to its members.

“While we will be digesting these findings it is encouraging that Coroner Shortland’s recommendations are inherently practical. From tragedy lives may be saved,” Mrs Maxwell concluded.

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