Worksafe New Zealand has clarified the circumstances in which it is acceptable to carry passengers on single-seat quad bikes, in consultation with Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ, and DairyNZ.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, persons conducting a business or undertaking such as farming must identify and manage risks arising from work, so far as is reasonably practicable.
WorkSafe's position on quad bikes is that single-seat quad bikes should not normally be used to carry passengers. Carrying a passenger on a quad bike that is not designed for more than one person can increase the risk of accidents by making it more unstable, more difficult to control, and more likely to rollover.
"WorkSafe's guidance is that you should use the safest vehicle for the job. When carrying a passenger this would mean using a vehicle specifically designed for more than one person," said Al McCone, WorkSafe sector lead - agriculture.
WorkSafe acknowledges that farmers and others using quad bikes for work need the policy clarified so they clearly understand what is acceptable in terms of carrying passengers.