MEDIA RELEASE

15 July 2011

FarmSafe and AgITO launch Quad Bike Farm Licence

Farmsafe, in association with Agriculture ITO (AgITO), has launched the Quad Bike Farm Licence.

"On average 35 farmers come off their quad bikes every day," Grant Hadfield, FarmSafe national manager, says. "FarmSafe and AgITO are committed to reducing accidents and changing attitudes through training on safe quad bike riding practices."

The Quad Bike Farm Licence is gained through a practical on job training package that covers safe quad bike riding practices as well as teaching participants to effectively identify, minimise and isolate potential bike riding hazards and make safe riding decisions.

Participants also gain an understanding of industry guidelines and their responsibilities, demonstrate they have taken all practicable steps to minimise risk of quad bike injuries, set clear expectations about what is required for safe riding on their property and have a clear method of verifying employees' training and assessment.

Grant Hadfield says that given the recent publicity around the Department of Labour's campaign of on farm inspections this initiative is timely.

"We want to ensure we do all we can to help people stay safe on farms," Kevin Bryant, AgITO chief executive, says. "Quad bikes are a major source of injury and death on farms, often because of lack of experience and training. By gaining the Quad Bike Farm Licence farm owners, managers and their staff will be able to prove safe riding competence as well as demonstrate an understanding of the Department of Labour guidelines for the safe use of quad bikes."

Higher ACC levies, increased insurance premiums, compromised timelines and increased staffing expenses can all result from quad bike accidents, affecting farmers' bottom line.

"There are clear benefits for employers and their staff to undertake this training and gain the Quad Bike Farm Licence," Mr Bryant says. "This initiative is all about looking after people, risk management and giving farmers and their businesses the confidence that they are taking all reasonable steps to protect themselves and their staff to the best of their ability."

The Quad Bike Farm Licence is being offered by FarmSafe in association with AgITO. The Licence uses NZQA approved unit standards and the training and assessment process is flexible to suit participants' riding experience. Experienced riders who already hold the applicable unit standards can have them recognised as part of the process. Upon the successful completion of the training and assessment process, graduates will be issued with FarmSafe's Quad Bike Farm Licence.

To launch this initiative, AgITO is offering a free approved safety helmet for everybody who signs up and completes the training (for a limited time only, until 30 November 2011).

To receive a Quad Bike Farm Licence application pack and for more information call AgITO today on 0800 691 111.

ENDS

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