Anti-roll bars are key to quad bike safety

ANTI-ROLL bars are an area of farm safety that need special attention say safety experts.

Speaking to the Farming Independent, FBD risk management surveyor, Ciaran Roche said that while anti-roll bars have been implemented in New Zealand, they have still yet to get approval here.

“There were U bars in New Zealand, but they never got approved here, so whatever’s used has to be approved,” he said.

“If it makes it safer we’re all for it. It’s still under scrutiny. They’re not widespread. It’s new technology only coming in now. I do know that some manufactur- ers of quads have opinions on whether they should be fixed to their machines and how they should work. It’s still a grey area as such but definitely needs to be focused on.”

Gator quads

FBD’s Myles Reilly thinks gator style quads will become a more practical solution to quad safety as they’re already widely used in agricultural colleges nationwide.

“Gator is a fantastic solution, I see them becoming more and more popular. Farmers will use them as a multi-purpose implements are getting better for the back of the gator. You’re enclosed. It’s a cab, a lot of ag colleges use them,” said Mr Reilly.

Last week, at an inquest into the death of a farmer last September, the Mayo County Coroner Patrick O’Connor, highlighted the dangers posed by 4x4, vehicles.

Fianna Fail TD for Mayo Dara Calleary is launching a new Bill to improve safety on quad bikes.

“Tragically, 15pc of all farm deaths between 2007-2016 were as a result of quad accidents. The major factors in these fatal accidents were farmers overturning or losing control of their quad bike and being crushed or pinned by the vehicle.

“Stricter controls on these potentially deadly vehicles are long overdue,” said Mr Calleary.