16 April 2024. Last updated 16 April 2024.
Members are advised, that on the 22nd of March 2024 a Work Health and Safety (Quad Bikes) Amendment Regulation was authorised by the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel and Minister for Industrial Relations, the Hon. Grace Grace.
The regulation amendment now requires helmets to be worn while operating quad bikes at a workplace.
The latest changes are to quad bikes at places of work only, and do not affect recreational use.
AgForce encourages safe use of quad bikes, supporting licensing and training which is consistently linked to improved safety outcomes. However, AgForce has strongly advocated against mandatory helmet requirements for many years, having set a clear policy position in August 2020.
AgForce understands the operational implications and other safety concerns that come from wearing helmets, such as heat stress, lack of peripheral vision and restrictive hearing; where advocacy efforts have concentrated on emphasising the ability of primary producers to undertake their own risk assessment for their own individual circumstances.
The State government did not communicate this regulatory change with AgForce, demonstrating a clear lack of process.
AgForce will seek an urgent meeting with WorkSafe Queensland and Minister Grace Grace to discuss this change.
To read the regulation change, visit the Queensland government’s Legislation website.
Should Members wish to provide feedback, please reach out to your AgForce Regional Manager.