Media release
15 March 2013

New drive to improve quad bike safety

Keeping contractors aware of potential hazards on quad bikes is the aim of a campaign launched by the Animal Health Board (AHB).

The AHB is keeping safety firmly in its sights through a series of eye-catching educational stickers that staff and contractors place on their quad bike or motorcycle. Federated Farmers has also endorsed the campaign.

AHB Vector Operations Manager Matthew Hall said the brightly coloured stickers aim to reinforce safety messages around potential hazards for quad bike users.

While the number of recorded accidents and close calls has not increased over the past three years for AHB contractors, Mr Hall said the stickers are intended to significantly improve the safety culture surrounding quad bikes.

The key safety messages are based on incidents or near misses that have been reported to the AHB. A booklet on avoiding hazards and accident reporting has also been created.

“We are a responsible employer and these attention grabbing safety reminders will be in a clearly visible place, such as the fuel tank. Our field staff and contractors spend a lot of their time working in difficult terrain and it is important they are familiar with quad bike hazards in these areas,” said Mr Hall.

Federated Farmers Health and Safety spokesperson Jeanette Maxwell said the AHB’s initiative complemented the Federation’s work educating people about on-farm safety and accident prevention.

“Staff and contractors need to be able to keep themselves safe on New Zealand farms, so the Federation is proud to support this safety campaign,” said Mrs Maxwell.

“It is important that everyone coming onto our farms is well-informed about all potential hazards, including the safe use of quad bikes, or any other machinery they use.

“New Zealand’s farms have a wide variety of terrain, from slippery bogs and wetlands to steep shale and everything in between. People need to know the capabilities of their vehicles and themselves.”

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