Media Release
11 September 2009

Education not legislation key to on-farm ATV safety

While Federated Farmers acknowledges ATV (all terrain vehicle) safety is a major concern, any legislation restricting their use on-farm would be a complete waste of police time and resources.

“If we felt legislation would work, we would support it, but the fact is it won’t,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson.

“The New Zealand Medical Journal study released today sends a clear message that further education is required to prevent ATV accidents. In the case of young people operating ATVs on-farm, close supervision is also imperative.

“The journal’s findings, however, are not an excuse to promulgate unenforceable legislation restricting the use of ATVs on-farm. Such a move would be impossible to police unless there was an officer permanently stationed on every one of New Zealand’s 63,000 farms.
“The Federation agrees the number of children hospitalised following ATV accidents is too high. That’s why we must make every effort to educate people about the dangers and correct use of on-farm vehicles. The Agricultural Health and Safety Council, which I chair, has undertaken numerous positive initiatives in this area.

“The council has produced guidelines for the safe use of ATVs, which can be found here. The guidelines state that a helmet must be worn at all times when operating an ATV. It also forbids children under the age of 12 from operating an ATV, while those aged 12-15 may only do so with appropriate training and supervision.

“But the fact remains that farmers spend a large amount of time on ATVs and the law of averages dictates that accidents will happen.

“What we can do is make absolutely sure that young people have the knowledge and skills required to safely operate an ATV. We must also ensure they know what to do in an accident situation.

“The majority of young people who grow up on farms are taught from an early age that everything is a potential accident. They know to watch out for hazards such as waterways, effluent ponds and steep drops.

“That’s why Federated Farmers believes education and not legislation is the best tool in the box to prevent ATV accidents on the farm,” Mr Aubrey concluded.

ENDS

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