New Quad Bike Safety Standards
The National Farmers Federation reports that 58% of quad bike deaths result from rollover, and there are over 650 hospitalisations as a result of quad bike accidents.
The Federal Government have set new laws regarding quad bikes after pressure from farming and medical groups to reduce these numbers.
The introduction of new safety standards necessitates that by October 2020, all quad bikes must display a warning label to highlight the risks of rollover as well as be fitted with an operator protection device (OPD) by October 2021.
A report by the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission (ACCC) recommended new safety measures for quad bike safety and was supported by many health and safety organisations such as the National Rural Health Alliance and National Farmers Federation.
The Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019 commence on 11 October 2019. The purpose of the standard is to minimise the risk of injury and death linked to the use of quad bikes. This standard aims to improve information for users and enhanced quad bike stability.
From this coming October, all quad bikes must:
Be tested for lateral static stability and display the angle at which it will tip on two wheels on a hang tag to inform buyers
Have a durable label affixed that is visible and legible when the quad bike is in operation to warn about risks of rollover
Include rollover safety information in the owner’s manual or information handbook
It is expected from October 2021, all general-use quad bikes must:
Be fitted with an operator protection advice
Meet the minimum stability requirements of:
lateral stability – a minimum Tilt Table Ratio (TTR) of 0.55 (28.81 degrees), and
front and rear longitudinal pitch stability – a minimum TTR of 0.8 (38.65 degrees).
The Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2011 states that people who manage or operate a quad bike at a workplace must ensure that it is safe. There are obligations to ensure workers are properly trained, supervised, and provided with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). The WHS Act also places responsibility on designers, manufacturers, and suppliers of quad bikes.
To find out more information, contact Safe Industries Australia.