All-terrain vehicles are useful for a range of farm tasks, from running errands to delivering tools, but like any piece of equipment on the farm, operating an ATV requires proper training and safety protocols.
“ATVs are convenient and can serve as a transport vehicle. However, we have seen an increase in accidents due to misuse and improper PPE,” said Dan Kent, loss control consultant for Agri-Services Agency.
In 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 498 fatalities involving off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs. Many of these accidents occurred on farms and ranches, and 19% of total fatalities were children under the age of 16.
“Sometimes the best fix is to mitigate the risk from ATVs and replace them with UTVs that offer more safety features,” Kent said.
“I recommend employees take an ATV certification class, don and doff the proper PPE before and after operation and to be aware of your surroundings while operating the ATV,” he said.
The following ATV operations checklist comes from the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. It lists common hazards to consider before, during and after ATV operation.
- Are all employees trained and certified in how to use and operate an ATV?
- Is there approved individual PPE available for each employee to wear when operating an ATV?
- Are all the lights operational? Do they come on when you start the ATV?
- Is less than one-third of the ATV’s weight on the rear carrying rack?
- Have you completed a pre-ride inspection (oil levels, fuel level, air pressure, air filter, controls and brakes, etc.)?
- Are all the important parts of the vehicle tightened (footpegs, footplates, wheels, wheel bolts, chains/belts, cables, etc.)?
- Are all lines and cables intact? Are there any signs of wear or damage?
- Is there a Crush Protection Device available?
- Can the operator reach and operate all controls while seated comfortably?
- Are your ATVs governed to operate at or under 20 miles per hour?
- Can you complete the same tasks with a UTV that provides a seatbelt and Rollover Protection Structure to the operator?
From checklists to in-person and online training, there are a variety of resources to learn how to safely operate ATVs and UTVs. The ATV Safety Institute offers two unique e-learning courses to address basic safety principles, available in English and Spanish.
“Most importantly, every person deserves to make it home at the end of every day,” Kent said.
For more information on safety training and workers’ compensation, visit www.agri-servicesagency.com or call (877) 466-9089.
