HELMETS like this could become mandatory for quad-bike users in all states if safety authorities have their way.
Last week the Trans-Tasman quad-bike industry strategy saw the influential Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities organisation detail how it wants to enforce the wearing of approved helmets in a bid to reduce quad-bike related deaths and injuries.
Meanwhile, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has just issued a “Health and Safety Alert” to staff using quad-bikes working on about 100 of its properties across the state.
These developments are taking place against a backdrop of 127 quad-bike related deaths in Australia between 2001 and 2009.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries wants its supervisors and managers to assess the risk of quad-bike roll-overs on its properties, plus also consider variables such as speed, terrain, other traffic, pedestrians, even weather.
Apart from implementing “engineering controls” by fitting a crush protection device (roll-bar) to protect a rider in a roll-over; the Department’s Safety Alert also suggests the retro-fitting of speed limiting devices and to ensure tyres and attachments are fit-for-purpose.
More immediately it draws attention to the front and rear weight distribution of quad-bike transported loads (both liquid and non liquid) and canvasses whether use of a ute or a side-by-side vehicle would offer more stable alternatives.
Interestingly, Forensic Engineering Society of Australia vice chairman, John Lambert, with 46 years of involvement in road safety and who was involved in mandating bicycle helmets while at VicRoads, has some useful points to make on helmet requirements for quad-bikes.
With research suggesting that most quad-bikes are driven at speeds which are generally no greater than 20kph/30kph, he suggests bike or equestrian helmets will suffice.
But he advised quad-bike riders donning helmets to make sure they can hear and see stock when working with animals or travelling around trees and bushes.
“Hence, except where quad-bikes are being used at high speeds (racing), I would recommend ventilated bicycle or equestrian helmets,” John Lambert said.
The Federal Chamber of Automative Industries (FCAI), representing many quad-bike manufacturers in Australia, says last week’s NSW Farmers statement made it the first organisation to call for mandatory fitting of roll-bars.
“I would be very surprised if they are speaking with the consensus of all their members because the last thing I would suspect farmers would want is ‘A’ to spend more money and ‘B’ make their products less useable than what they already are,” motorcycle manager, FCAI, Rhys Griffiths, said.
“The fitment of a roll-over protective device does in fact reduce the useability of the quad-bike,” he added.
Mr Griffiths says the Trans-Tasman quad-bike working group does include a recommendation to consider fitting roll-over protection devices but that came with provisos.
The point was made that any farmer considering the fitment of a roll-over device should first carry out a risk assessment, as well as making sure it had been suitably tested.
“But to our certain knowledge there is no standard to which a roll-over or a crush protection device can be either be designed or tested, also there is no product available that meets any criteria that we consider to be suitably tested,” Mr Griffiths said.
Footnote: Upcoming quad-bike handling courses organised by the NSW Department of Primary Industries will take place at Tamworth on August 23 and 24, also Yanco on October 5. More details on: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Email a friend