A recent quad bike rollover on a WA farm could have had a very different outcome. Instead, several practical safety controls helped protect the worker and allowed them to quickly call for assistance.

What Happened?

During a recent WorkSafe inspection, inspectors were advised of a quad bike rollover that had occurred while a casual worker was mustering sheep alone on a broadacre grain and sheep farm.

The worker was travelling downhill when the quad bike rolled. Steep terrain, weather conditions, fatigue and travelling too fast for the conditions were identified as factors that may have contributed to the incident.

Fortunately, the worker sustained only minor injuries and was able to contact another person on the farm and provide their location.

What Made the Difference?

Several important safety controls were already in place.

The quad bike was fitted with a crush protection device, which prevented the bike from landing directly on the worker during the rollover. The worker was also wearing a helmet, reducing the risk of serious head injury.

Because the worker was operating alone, having a mobile phone was another important control, allowing them to quickly report the incident and provide their location.

Together, these measures likely helped prevent a much more serious outcome.

The Lesson for Employers

Not every incident can be prevented, but the right controls can significantly reduce the consequences when something does go wrong.

For farms using quad bikes, this is a timely reminder to consider the whole task – including the condition of the vehicle, appropriate protective equipment, terrain, weather, fatigue and how workers will communicate or get help when working alone. Simple controls can make a significant difference when they’re in place before they’re needed.

Using Quad Bikes on Your Farm?

Speak with a ProcessWorxAg Safety Advisor on (08) 9316 9896 or get in touch for support reviewing your quad bike risks and safety controls.

Follow ProcessWorxAg on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X and the Lets Chat HR & Safety podcast to keep up with the latest HR and Safety news.