Farmers and others who use quad bikes or ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) while working are required to wear helmets and undergo safety training, reports RTE.
According to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the new regulation – the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulation 2021 – is the first of its kind in Europe.
The use of quad bikes or ATVs is becoming more common in farming and forestry operations, as well as in road works, quarry, and airport operations, reports RTE.
Over the past 13 years, at least 12 fatalities in agriculture have been reported, involving quad bikes, along with numerous serious injuries, as stated by the HSA.
HSA Senior Inspector for Farm Safety Pat Griffin said: “Too many lives have been tragically lost in quad bike incidents. Wearing a helmet and undergoing proper training has to be a basic requirement for any quad user,” reports RTE.
“Machinery and vehicles, including quad bikes account for about half of all fatalities on farms. These new regulations can only benefit farmers and their families in trying to prevent future tragedy visiting our faming communities,” he added, reports RTE.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.