widow campaigned for better safety measures. Helmets are now required by law in Northern Ireland, with a £500 fine.
In the UK the belief that roll bars could cause injury prevailed, until a Freedom of Information request revealed that the HSE data was from 1999. Roll bar technology had improved and was saving lives in other territories. HSE is now reported to be carrying out updated research.
Said Unite Dorset Food Drink and Agriculture Branch’s John Burbidge, “Everyone who uses a quad bike should be trained and pass a test before riding unsupervised, whether a worker, an employer or someone doing it for leisure. At the moment, as I understand it, this is limited to an employer’s obligation to get an employee trained.
“There needs to be education and dialogue on these issues. Legislation, where it exists, is too often ignored and accidents are significantly under- reported. Meanwhile injuries and deaths continue because regulation is regarded as ‘red tape’.
“All quad bikes should have a safety frame, and seat belts should be mandatory, training and examination should apply wherever they are used and children under 16 should be prohibited from driving them.”
Monique Mosely, Unite Senior Workplace Rep, added “The amount of local people who buy one such machine for their children is beyond belief. The machines are also a common sight at the local pubs, which is even more worrying.
“I believe rural accidents are massively under-reported as many accidents are not lethal. This mindset must change - not just with quads but with ‘farm equipment’ in general.”
Matthew Belsey, HSE Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC) said : “I would say that anyone using quad bikes at work must have had full training, and full PPE as advised by the HSE .”
Ian Beeby, UNITE campaigner, said “The laws as they are only apply to quad s when someone is at work or on a public highway. On private
31 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2024
land for leisure it is a free for all, the same as a five year old can ride a motocross bike.
We have the same problems with chainsaws, where for work you need training, but there is no law stopping anybody over 18 going to the local garden/diy shop to buy a chainsaw.”
Said Steve Leniec, Chair of Unite’s Agricultural Subsector, “Quad bikes are one of the most significant causes of death in agriculture involving moving vehicles. 14 deaths in the five years up to 2023.
“As legislation has improved the safety of agricultural tractors and other self propelled machinery, ATVs including quad bikes seem to have been overlooked.
“The type of work that ATVs are doing can lead to sudden accidents. Any slight mishap can have serious consequences. Training and age restrictions are often overlooked until a serious mishap occurs, when it is too late for everyone involved.”
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