Off-road vehicle safety warning after two NSW farm workers killed in 24 hours

Two deaths on New South Wales farms within 24 hours involving side-by-side vehicles and quad bikes has sparked a warning for agricultural workers.

A man was killed on a farm in Peelwood in the state's south-east on Tuesday about 2.45pm when the quad bike he was riding rolled over.

Then yesterday a farm manager drowned on a property between Orange and Dubbo, when the side-by-side vehicle (an off-road vehicle with at least two seats side by side within a roll cage structure) he was driving rolled into a creek.

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SafeWork NSW said since 2001, there have been more than 57 deaths in the state from quad bike incidents.

A further 21 people have died on side-by-side vehicles.

The head of the safety body, Trent Curtin, said the tragic deaths were a reminder of the risks involved with farming, and urged managers and owners to ensure they are following regulations.

"Remember the safety features on your vehicle could save your life," he said.

"Just by wearing a helmet you reduce the risk of fatality in a quad bike incident by 40 per cent."

SafeWork NSW is reminding people using the vehicles to take the following steps: ensure the vehicle is appropriate for the task, the terrain and the rider; avoid steep terrain; ride at a speed suitable for the conditions; always wear a helmet; always wear a seatbelt in side-by-side vehicles; have an operator protection device fitted on quad bikes.

Curtin said safety inspectors who fiybd workers flouting seat belt and helmet requirements while operating the vehicles would not hesitate in issuing fines.

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