Reducing farm injury deaths through regulation

Lower, Tony G

doi:10.5694/mja11.11452

Manufacturers will need to improve quad bike design to meet safety requirements

Agriculture is internationally recognised as a hazardous industry. Despite a 44% reduction in non-intentional farm injury deaths in Australia over the past 15 years (of which machinery-related incidents are the predominant cause), considerable opportunities for prevention remain.1

Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, University of Sydney, Moree, NSW.

Correspondence: tony.lower@sydney.edu.au

Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

1. Lower T, Fragar L, Herde E. Potential for prevention of farm injury fatalities in Australia. J Health Safety Environ 2011; 27: 125-137.
2. Lower T, Herde E. Non-intentional farm injury fatalities in Australia 2003–2006. N S W Public Health Bull 2012. In press.
3. Munoz S, Van Auken R, Zellner J. An assessment of the effects of the Roberston V-bar ROPS on the risk of rider injury due to overturns resulting from ATV misuse. DRI-TR-07-14. Torrance, Calif: Dynamic Research, Inc, 2007.
4. Garland S. 2009 annual report of ATV-related deaths and injuries. Bethesda, Md: US Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2010.
5. Bowden T. How safe are quad bikes [TV report]? 7.30 2011; Sep 13. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3317049.htm (accessed Nov 2011).
6. Safe Work Australia. Guide to the Model Work Health and Safety Regulations. Canberra: SWA, 2011. http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWork Australia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/621/Guide_Model_WHS_Regulations.pdf (accessed Nov 2011).
7. Speciality Vehicle Institute of America. Model state ATV legislation. http://www.svia.org/Relations/Legislation.aspx (accessed Nov 2011).

Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.