Quad bike dangers on inclines and unstable surfaces

Background

In November 2025, a 58-year-old farmer was fatally injured attempting to spray chemicals from a quad bike. The farmer was operating the bike on an incline with a soft, muddy surface. The quad bike overturned, trapping the farmer and resulting in fatal injuries.

Safety issues 

Liquid load

Carrying or towing liquid loads can make a quad bike unstable and increase the risk of uncontrolled movement. Liquid inside a tank can move as the vehicle turns or travels across a slope. This decreases the stability of the quad bike and increases the likelihood of a rollover. 

This risk can be reduced by the use of spray tanks fitted with internal baffles. This helps reduce the movement of liquid inside the tank.

Environmental conditions

Operating a quad bike on a slope with a soft, muddy surface increases the risk of losing control of the bike. The risk is higher on slopes and uneven ground because:

• quad bikes have a high centre of gravity 
• when combined with wet grass and a soft, muddy surface, it is more difficult for quad bike tyres to adequately grip the ground.

In some situations, using a different vehicle or delaying the task until environmental conditions improve may reduce the risk.

Operator protective devices (OPD)

The quad bike involved in this incident was not fitted with an OPD. Around half of all quad bike fatalities are caused by asphyxiation or trauma resulting from a rollover. A fitted OPD is easy to install and may:

• save a quad bike operator’s life
• help reduce the risk of serious injury during a rollover. 

Helmets

Approximately one-quarter of quad bike fatalities involve head injuries. Wearing a helmet is a manufacturer requirement on all quad bikes and can reduce the risk of head injury.

Recommended ways to control the risk

To reduce the risk of rollover and serious injury, employers, self-employed people and quad bike operators should do the following.

• Assess the terrain and ground conditions before starting work.
• Avoid operating quad bikes on steep slopes, soft ground, muddy surfaces and other unstable terrain where possible.
• Stop work or review the task if weather or ground conditions become unsafe.
• Consider using a more suitable vehicle for the task, particularly when carrying or towing loads.
• Use spray tanks fitted with internal baffles where liquid loads are required.
• Ensure riders wear a helmet in line with manufacturer requirements.
• Fit an OPD.
• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision on the safe operation of quad bikes.
• Regularly inspect and maintain quad bikes and associated equipment.

Legal duties

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), employers have duties they must fulfil, so far as is reasonably practicable. Their duties include:

• provide and maintain for their employees, a safe working environment that is without risks to health
• ensure the workplaces they manage and control are safe and without risks to health
• ensure their work does not expose other people to risks to their health and safety.

Self-employed persons must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that their work does not expose any person to risks to their health or safety. 

Employers and self-employed persons must:

• provide employees and independent contractors with the information, instruction, training or supervision they need to perform work safely and without risks to health
• so far as is reasonably practicable, consult with their employees and any health and safety representatives (HSRs) on matters that might affect their health and safety
• identify, so far as is reasonably practicable, all hazards associated with the use of plant in the workplace
• control risks associated with plant according to the plant hierarchy of control
• ensure the plant is inspected to the extent necessary and manage risks associated with its use
• ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, plant that is not in use is left in a condition that does not create a risk to anyone.