Off Road Legislation and Regulations
Company Legislation
PUWER – Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (simplified guide).
PUWER relates to all work machinery, including ATVs, Quad Bikes and 4x4s.
LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
LOLER relates to some situations where winching is involved during 4×4 recovery.
Green Lane Legislation
NERC – Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Case Studies and HSE Guidance:
Fatal ATV Overturn – Company fined £35000 with £25000 costs after the death of a 14 year old, untrained rider without helmet died while working.
ATVs at Public Events – Many public events are run with the help of employees on quad bikes, the HSE are advising that these riders must adhere to best practice and the relevant legislation. This includes undertaking the relevant training, wearing helmets and appropriate PPE and upholding the guidance on age limits and passenger restrictions for quad riders.
Work Experience Quad Bike Rider Suffers Head Injuries – an quad bike rider on work experience suffered head injuries when falling from a bike. Lack of training and no head protection was blamed.
Employer prosecuted over lack of training – After an incident the quad bike rider was found to have received no training and was not wearing the appropriate PPE. Though head protection was available it was not being used.
Lone working – Gamekeeper found dead after ATV incident – This is one of the first prosecutions of it’s type, highlighting the need for all ATV riders and 4×4 operators to understand and implement suitable lone working policies where necessary.
ATV Safety – Press Announcement – On average, 2 people die and 1000 are injured in ATV injuries. From the Scottish HSE.
ATVs in Forestry – information about training, roll-over protection and ppe.
Fatal Quad Bike Incident – case study – 34 year old farm worker died in a quad incident. Training and a lack of helmet are mentioned, but the main cause is found to be a poorly maintained bike. Farm fined £6,650.
Safe Use of All Terrain Vehicles – Agriculture information sheet 33.
Debogging and Recovery of Forestry Machines – including a link to AFAG703.
Rollover Risk Associated with off-road vehicles – mainly concerning quarry vehicles, for more information see the sheet below.
Quarries – Vehicles and Visibility – very interesting information regarding the use of 4×4′s in quarries.
If you want any information about how H&S guidance may affect your company, or would like to talk to us about quad bike courses or off-road driver training, please contact us:
01524 37746
All content © Tim Manwaring