5 Tips to Farm ATV Safety

The All Terrain Vehicle, or ATV as it is commonly known, is becoming an indispensable piece of equipment for most agricultural operations. Small and economical, it provides farming operations a practical method of transportation without the cost and risk of larger vehicles. Many operations have replaced their pick-up trucks with ATVs and some company ATV fleets number in the hundreds. Although ATVs are not as large as other vehicles, there were 560 reported ATV deaths in California from 1982 to 2009.

In spite of its widespread use, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has not issued any defined regulations for operating ATVs, relying instead on generic state laws to guide the use of ATVs for working situations. Companies are left to determine on their own what rules and procedures to use for ATVs. To illustrate this, for example, two firms which use ATVs extensively have several differences in how they manage their ATVs. While both companies have written procedures for ATV use, one company has special training for ATV users and the other does not. Both require the use of helmets in most situations. However, beyond that, there are no requirements for goggles, gloves or any other type of protective equipment. ATVs are not usually equipped with seat belts or rollover protection, and not many companies install them on ATVs. Few companies also order motor vehicle records or drug tests for ATV users.

With the lack of direction from both federal and state OSHA departments, companies should follow the rules listed at ATVsafety.gov such as:

• Wear helmets at all times.
• All ATVs should be properly titled and registered.
• No one under age 18 should operate an ATV without a certified safety certificate.
• No passengers should be allowed on ATVs unless they are designed for a passenger.
• ATVs may not be used on highways except to cross them.

In addition, companies might want to consider other proactive safety measures such as requiring safety equipment, driver training, drug testing and running motor vehicle records. If you are interested in more information about ATVs, safety, training or insurance for your business exposures, please contact us.