WorkSafe is urging rural New Zealand to refocus on the risk of quad bike roll-overs, after four farmers have been killed in the past three weeks.
WorkSafe says it is investigating all four fatalities, the first of which occurred on July 18 in Wairarapa.
It was followed by another on July 22 in Canterbury, one on July 26 in Southland, and most recently in Northland on July 30.
All four incidents coincided with the start of lambing and calving season.
“Our sympathy is with every family and community mourning these sudden deaths,” WorkSafe principal inspector Graham Bates said.
“Although our investigations are in their early stages, the trend is worrying enough for us to sound the alarm already.”
Bates said doing a risk assessment of terrain and tasks was the top priority before getting on a quad bike — especially at this time of year, with variable weather, growth, and ground conditions.
“Sloped surfaces and steep terrain can be especially problematic and have sadly been a factor in some of the recent cases.”
Bates said farm vehicle incidents were one of the top two causes of workplace deaths in New Zealand.
“Which is why agriculture is a priority sector under WorkSafe’s new strategy — we are targeting the biggest risks and working with the sector to improve health and safety in agriculture.”
He said that while farming consisted of “a never-ending list of tasks and constant reprioritisation” those challenges shouldn’t contribute to loss of life or injury.
“The people with the most power to influence this are those on the ground each day doing the work.”
The outgoing Police Commissioner starts his five-year term in the new role on Monday.