Machinery

NSW calls for national quad bike safety system

Grain Central, July 19, 2017

THE NSW Government is calling for the introduction of a national five-star safety rating system for quad bikes to reduce farm deaths and injuries.

NSW Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the NSW Government would provide support in helping develop and implement a safety rating scheme.

“After meeting with Senator Michaela Cash last month, we believe a rating system is the next big step to reducing deaths and injuries from quad bike incidents,” Mr Kean said.

“We want to work with manufacturers and farmers to develop a scheme, which would give buyers the information they need, at a glance, to make the safest possible choice.

“This is about putting consumer first and doing what we can to keep farmers safe at work.”

A safety rating system for quad bikes was one of the key recommendations of the NSW Deputy Coroners 2015 inquest into quad bike deaths.

“We have to work together on this issue to ensure we get the best outcome, we want people to be able to work and live on their farms as safely as possible,” NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said.

“The NSW Government is providing incentives to encourage farmers to improve the safety of their quad bikes, education programs to support safer usage and now we want to give consumers better information to support their decision making.”

A rating system would build on the NSW Government’s $2 million Quad Bike Safety Improvement Program providing free training and helmets for those who complete the course, as well as rebates for protective devices, and safer side-by-side vehicles.

Source: Safework NSW

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