Weekly Times Now
Australia
The all-terrain vehicle industry has welcomed the first independent assessment of crush protection devices.
This is despite its continued opposition to farmers fitting them.
The Queensland Government last week said it would evaluate crush protection devices following fatal accidents involving ATVs in that state.
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has supported the review, but continues to maintain crush protection devices cause more damage than they prevent.
FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said no crush protection devices had acceptable safety standards.
"We do not recommend the fitting of roll bars or crush protection devices to ATVs because of international research which found all roll-over protection devices and crush protection devices examined at the time posed an unacceptably high risk of creating new injuries," Mr Chalmers said.
Independent engineer John Lambert has disputed the claims, questioning the international reseach used by the FCAI .
The Queensland Government's move to evaluate crush protection devices came as part of a multi-pronged strategy, including a push for helmets to be compulsory on farms, and for riders under 16 years to be prohibited from riding adult-size ATVs on farm.
A Worksafe Victoria spokesman said the state had been a "central player" in the development of the national quad bike OHS strategy, and would "continue to play a part in its implementation."
WorkCover NSW said a national code of practice was being developed by Safe Work Australia.
A spokesman said the code aimed to incorporate the agreed measures from the Quad Bike Industry Strategy.
"It is expected that the code of practice will go out for public comment in the New Year, and following review of public comment will be adopted by Commonwealth, State and Territory jurisdictions, including NSW," the spokesman said.
A record 23 people were killed in accidents involving ATVs this year.
