Finding into death of G W

Contributing factors

• Quad bike not fitted with crush protection device (rollover protective device)
• No safety helmet worn at time of incident
• Blood alcohol concentration of 0.11 g/100mL, impairing safe operation
• Loss of directional control of quad bike while operating at 37-42 km/hr
• Operator working alone on agricultural property
• Older model quad bike with no roll-over protection

Coroner's recommendations

1. Distribution of finding to Safe Work Australia, WorkSafe Victoria, FarmSafe Australia, ACCC, and the Hon Michael Sukkar MP (Assistant Treasurer) to highlight the continuing danger of quad bikes
2. Coroner expresses support for ACCC's Final Recommendation to the Minister regarding mandatory safety standard for quad bikes, including: all quad bikes supplied in Australia meeting US or European Standards, rollover warning labels, inclusion of rollover safety information in owner's manuals, vehicle stability information at point of sale, integrated or fitted operator protection devices on general-use quad bikes, and minimum stability requirements
3. Support for holistic approach including measures to increase helmet use and personal protection equipment, education campaigns, prohibition on children riding adult quad bikes, prohibition of passengers on single-seat quad bikes, continuation of quad bike safety rebates and education initiatives, and improvements to quad bike incident data collection