WHY WOULD ANYONE NOT WEAR AN ATV HELMET?

PICTURED ABOVE: Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) is asking contractors and farmers why they wouldn’t wear an ATV helmet?

In a follow-up to the #WearItandShareIt campaign when the NAAC invited social media users to photos of themselves wearing a helmet, this new campaign asks why anyone would now not wear a helmet and emphasises there really are #noexcuses.

Shockingly, say the NAAC, since April 2024 there have been five deaths linked to a sit-astride ATV (aka a quad bike). Other serious and life-changing incidents are happening all the time, they say. Yet there is still resistance to wearing a helmet.

The NAAC is raising the question why anyone would choose to ride a sit-astride ATV, or deliberately send a worker or family member out on a job, with no helmet knowing there is a real and proven risk of loss of life, which could be reduced by using a helmet.

Commenting Jill Hewitt, NAAC chief executive said, “We have seen an increase in quad bike deaths this year and it baffles me how our industry still considers this is a risk worth taking. Whether on flat or sloping land, incidents can always happen, and we need to be clear that it is a legal requirement to wear a helmet at work. More important though, if you wear a helmet, you are more likely to survive if you come off.”

HSE has confirmed if there is an incident and someone was not wearing a helmet, this will be a key part of the investigation and could result in enforcement, including prosecution. Enforcement action will also be taken if an inspector sees someone working without a helmet on farm. 

Of course, say the NAAC, simply wearing a helmet will not keep everyone fully protected and it is vitally important to ensure that anyone riding an ATV is competent and trained to handle the machine. Training is crucial because it covers essential active riding techniques necessary for the safe operation of the ATV.