11 November 2013

Coronial report on quad bike deaths – industry forum to be convened

Whangarei Coroner Brandt Shortland has today released findings into five workplace quad bike deaths.

As part of his concurrent inquests in April this year into the five deaths, Coroner Shortland invited submissions on quad bike issues from a series of experts and involved parties, and his findings include his conclusions and recommendations (see summary below).

“These findings and recommendations give weight, in the Ministry’s view, to the need to continue focusing on reducing the death and injury toll associated with quad bike use in agricultural settings,” General Manager Health and Safety Operation Ona de Rooy said.

On average five people are killed and 850 are injured on quad bikes on farms every year.

“The Ministry supports the intent of Coroner Shorthand’s recommendations, although not all recommendations are within the Ministry’s ability to implement, the breadth and significance of them must not be lost to the sector.

“In the New Year the Ministry will be calling together all the parties involved with quad bikes – manufacturers, farming leaders, community leaders, trainers and the regulator – to work through how these recommendations could be implemented. The forum will also consider what other actions could be taken to reduce the deaths and injuries from inappropriate quad bike use.

“Coroner Shortland says a farmer’s safety is compromised when a quad bike is used beyond its capability and outside the strict safety guidelines and he endorses the Ministry’s quad bike harm reduction programme’s key steps for safe use of the machines,” Ms de Rooy said.

“The Ministry fully agrees with his position that the rural sector and communities associated with farming should stand up and take leadership and ownership of health and safety issues including quad bikes without the threat of enforcement and prosecution from the regulator.”

For information about MBIE’s quad bike harm reduction programme go to:

http://www.business.govt.nz/healthandsafetygroup/information-guidance/national-programmes/quad-bike-safety

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