Factors to be Considered in Developing Occupational Regulations for Quad Bikes in Australia

Quad bikes are popular vehicles in agricultural occupational settings. Quad bike rollovers are a leading cause of deaths in the Australian agricultural industry; current regulations appear to have had limited impact on quad bike deaths. The objectives of this study were (1) to explore whether regulation is perceived by regulators, users, retailers, and health professionals as an effective approach to quad bike safety in North West Outback Queensland, Australia; and (2) to consider the ways that perceptions of quad bike safety and use in North West Outback Queensland could inform the development of regulatory guidelines for the occupational use of quad bikes in agricultural industries. Focus group sessions and interviews were conducted November 2011 to May 2012 with farmers, health care providers, regulators, and retailers. Participants displayed a variety of opinions about perceived impacts of current regulatory changes to enhance quad bike safety, including changes to local induction processes and use of personal protective equipment on local enterprises. Many users perceived that policing the use of quad bikes would be difficult and regulators acknowledged the challenges to development of regulatory requirements and their ability to monitor and regulate use. Regulators also discussed the challenges of differentiating between work-related incidents and recreational incidents on farms. If regulation is going to be effective in improving the safety of quad bikes, there are some key moments times where this could occur, including at production, point of sale, within business policies, and everyday use by farm workers. The results highlight mixed reactions to regulatory change as a safety approach for occupational quad bike use. The interactions between regulators and the agricultural community are key in the development of sound policies that meet the standard required by regulation, monitoring, and implementation of safety policies into practice on farms.