Stay safe around your vehicles and machinery

Being struck by moving vehicles continues to be the most common cause of serious injury and death in agriculture.

During 2021 and 2022, eight people were killed in incidents involving tractors, ATVs, 4x4 vehicles, a telehandler and an articulated lorry. There have been 48 vehicle deaths in the past five years.

DRIVER BEHAVIOUR

Many incidents occur when people leave a vehicle before making sure it cannot move. Even when the vehicle is stationary, you should make sure it’s properly secured and made safe by following the Safe Stop procedure:

• Follow Safe Stop when getting out or off a vehicle and if someone approaches

• Ensure all operators have received training on every vehicle they use

• Always turn uphill when working across a slope and descend down the gentlest gradient

• Keep doors closed when driving and wear seatbelts

• Check to ensure loads are stable, secure and within relevant weight limits

• Try to avoid reversing wherever possible

• Only take a passenger if they are over 13 and sat on a passenger seat

MAKE YOUR FARMYARD A SAFE SPACE

• Where possible try to have separate routes for vehicles and pedestrians

• Pedestrians should wear high visibility clothing and keep yards and other areas well-lit during working hours

• Have adequate signage, speed limits and mirrors in yard

• Avoid reversing - have one-way systems

• Beware of overhead cables - make sure visitors know where they are

ATVs

ATVs such as quad bikes and side-by-side utility vehicles are designed to cope with a wide variety of  off-road conditions, but if used carelessly can very rapidly become unstable.

Many quad bike fatalities in the UK have been caused by head injuries. Helmets would have prevented most, if not all, deaths.

• Carry out safety checks and maintenance in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations including regularly checking tyre pressure, brakes and throttle

• Secure loads on racks and make sure they are evenly balanced and not overloaded

• Take extra care with trailed or mounted equipment and understand how they affect stability

• Stick to planned routes where possible and walk new routes if necessary to check for hidden obstructions, hollows or other hazards

• Never carry a child as a passenger; it is illegal and will reduce your ability to control the ATV. Children under 13 years old are prohibited from using an ATV at work. Over 13s should only ride ATVs – of an appropriate size and power – after formal training on a low-power ATV.