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When you are flat out on the farm or in the orchard, grabbing whatever machine is parked closest is easily done. But picking convenience over safety can turn an ordinary day sideways fast.

According to WorkSafe farm vehicles are almost always involved when someone dies on a farm. You already know your land, but making the right call before turning the key keeps you, your crew, and your mates safe to head home at knock-off.

Match the machine to the task

The right ride yesterday might not be the right one today. Overnight rain, greasy clay, and extra gear change how a vehicle handles.

Before you head out, make the call:

• Taking a passenger? Side-by-sides (UTVs) with roll cages and proper seats are built to carry passengers. Single-seat quads are strictly solo. Hauling gear or towing? Chuck loads on a ute deck or in a side-by-side tray. Overloading a quad rack, or balancing gear across your knees on a motorbike, throws off your balance just when you need grip most. Working tricky country? For steep faces or wet sidings, pick a machine designed for the slope. Keep quads off sealed roads. Their tyres aren’t built for it, and steering gets dodgy fast. Ditch the paper for pre-start checks

Taking two minutes to cast an eye over a machine saves blown belts, wrecked gear, and nasty roll-overs.

Before turning the key, check:

• Brakes, lights and active safety systems
• Oil, coolant, and brake fluid
• Tyre pressures and tread condition
• Wheel nuts and steering play
• Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) for any rust or cracks

Paper check sheets in the workshop end up dog-eared or covered in grease. You can complete a quick Vehicle Checklist right from your phone on the HazardCo App, flagging maintenance issues on the spot!

Set clear non-negotiables on-site

Most vehicle trouble does not happen from a lack of driving skill, it comes down to rushed calls and cutting corners, even for experienced drivers.

A few simple rules to set across your property: 

• • Helmets and seatbelts every trip: If a cab or ROPS has a belt, click it in. If you are on a two-wheeler, quad, or side-by-side, strap on a proper helmet. Dead stop before hopping off: Stepping down from a moving tractor to kick a gate open is an easy way to end up underneath it. Bring it to a complete stop every time.
  • Keep under-16s off adult machines: Adult quads, motorbikes and side-by-sides need adult weight and reach to handle safely, and kids may not spot risks or react fast enough to avoid an accident
• Right driver, right machine: Only drive what you’re trained on and know well, and never when you’re tired or impaired. 

Health & Safety sorted

As a business owner (PCBU) under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, you need to make sure your vehicles are well maintained, and your people are trained to use them. Take a look at the official guide on using the right farm vehicle from WorkSafe to review manufacturer limits and terrain ratings.

HazardCo takes the hassle out of H&S with digital vehicle checks, site inductions, and risk assessments right in your pocket. Stay safe out there!