Fresh insights show harm from farm vehicles remains a stubborn problem – and it’s exactly why WorkSafe will be focussed on it at Fieldays this week.
Inspectors will be on-site at the event for informal, open conversations with farmers, workers, and agribusiness operators on practical ways to stay safe.
Vehicles were involved in four out of five of the 67 agricultural deaths notified to WorkSafe between 2020 and 2025. Quad bikes and side-by-sides account for two-thirds of those vehicle deaths alone.
Sharon Thompson says the numbers are stark, but the patterns are not new.
“We keep seeing the same situations. Experienced operators on familiar ground, working alone, without check-in systems or protective equipment. Then something goes wrong, and no one finds them for hours.
“That’s why we’re at Fieldays – to have some honest discussions about what good looks like and what people can do right now to reduce risk.”
While overall farm safety has improved, harm involving quad bikes and side-by-sides has refused to follow the same trend this decade – and their share of vehicle-related deaths is growing.
With sector input, WorkSafe is currently developing an Approved Code of Practice for safe farm vehicle operation – a practical way for farmers to understand and meet their responsibilities. In the meantime, Sharon Thompson says the immediate steps are clear.
“Helmets are a must-have. We strongly recommend fitting a crush protection device to your quad bike, and using the seatbelt in your side-by-side.”
“Don’t work alone without a way for someone to find you. Assess the ground before you ride it – even if you’ve ridden it a hundred times before. Familiarity is not the same as safety.”
Horowhenua farmer George Thompson knows firsthand how quickly things can go wrong. He broke his neck in two places in a quad bike rollover in 2020.
“I used to have the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. I didn’t wear my helmet properly, didn’t have crush protection, and didn’t carry a personal locator beacon. I hope people learn from what happened to me, because I’m a convert now.”
George’s full story can be heard in an interactive display at WorkSafe’s site, RM116 at Fieldays. Watch a preview below:
Watch George’s wife Jane on the effect his injuries had on their whānau, and from Murray Hutchings, a possum trapper who rolled his quad bike down a steep gully.
