| Abstract | Quad bikes are important to many agricultural industries in Australia, but the number of injuries associated with their use has risen with their popularity. During 2012 there were 23 fatalities and 56 serious injuries in Australia resulting from quad bike use. However, very few studies have conducted a detailed analysis of the causes of quad bike incidents using multiple data sources.
The aim of this project is to understand quad bike use and the circumstances surrounding incidents that occur as a result of their use. In particular the project will identify high risk uses and why quad bikes are chosen for these applications. The severity and type of injury sustained by quad bike riders will be investigated and whether there are engineering solutions that could reduce these injuries.
This research will draw on a variety of data sources. Agricultural workers who operate a quad bike will be interviewed to obtain information about their quad bike use, knowledge, and any incidents that they have experienced. Where possible, the bike and terrain will be inspected. Patients admitted to hospital following quad bike incidents will also be contacted. In addition, information on the causes of incidents and mechanisms of injury will be obtained from hospital admission data, WorkCover data, and Coroners’ files.
This presentation will provide a brief update on the progress of this project but will predominantly focus on the analysis of the claims data from WorkCover SA. A preliminary search of the WorkCover SA Tabulator identified 101 cases of compensated injuries associated with quad bikes over the past decade. Data relevant to these cases will be explored in more detail in order to provide an understanding of the quad bike problem within South Australia. The analysis will cover a range of areas including information about injured workers (e.g., age, sex, and occupation), the cost of quad bike injuries (including financial and days lost), details of compensated injuries (e.g., severity, and type of injury), and identify industries where injuries associated with quad bikes are an issue.
Findings from this project will lead to the development and implementation of behavioural, regulatory and engineering countermeasures that will benefit end users throughout Australia and New Zealand. |
