The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) supports the Victorian Government and WorkSafe Victoria safety campaign launched this week to promote safer quad bike use.
“The real-life stories shared in the new safety campaign are deeply uncomfortable and painful to hear,” said Mr David Jochinke, VFF President.
“Yet these farmers could be considered the lucky ones because they are still here to tell their stories. There are too many adults and children who never walked away from their quad bike accident.
“Everyone who owns a quad bike must implement practical rules about how, when, where and by whom the quad bike is used. These rules need to be clearly explained to all family members, staff, and visitors who visit your property.
“According to Safe Work Australia, of the six quad bike fatalities in 2019 so far, five of these happened during non-working activities. So these rules need to be strictly enforced every single time anyone sits on a quad bike, not just in ‘official’ work situations.
“When you look at the data, rollovers are the most common type of accident. Operator protection devices can’t prevent rollovers but they can dramatically reduce the risk of the driver being stuck underneath a rolled quad bike and suffocating to death.
“I encourage all Victorian farmers to take advantage of the quad bike safety rebate scheme. Each farm business is eligible for a $1,200 rebate, which can cover the cost of two OPDs.
“Alternatively, if you want to move away from the use of quad bikes on your property, the $1,200 rebate can go towards the cost of buying a side-by-side or small utility vehicle.
“In less than three years, the rebate scheme has received over 4,500 applications and saved Victorian farmers over $4 million,” said Mr Jochinke.
Farmers wishing to apply for the rebate should call the VFF on 1300 882 833.