With the holidays in full swing, the Minns Labor Government is urging farmers and visitors in the Kiama region, and across NSW, to make safety a top priority on farms. In our local area, farms are not just picturesque places to visit, they’re workplaces filled with machinery, animals, and activity, where risks can escalate if precautions are not taken.

The agricultural industry has one of the highest rates of workplace fatalities, and children are particularly vulnerable. Across NSW, 58 lives have been lost in quad-bike incidents since 2011, including 29 children under 16. Many of these tragedies occurred at slow speeds or on flat terrain, often involving children visiting farms who were unfamiliar with the dangers.

Here in Kiama and surrounding rural communities, like Jamberoo and Gerringong, farms are often the hub of family and social gatherings, especially over the festive season. But it’s critical to remember that quad bikes, tractors, and even horses are not playthings. They require training, strength, and supervision to operate or handle safely.

Why quad bikes are dangerous for kids

• Children under the age of 16 do not have the body size, weight, strength or skill required to safely operate an adult sized quad bike – or travel as a passenger.
• Quad bike related deaths are caused by catastrophic crush related injuries from the quad bike landing on and fatally crushing the child in a roll over.
• Other deaths are a result of collision or ejection – causing fatal brain, abdominal, spine or neck injuries.
• Reports also reveal that on average, 80 children present to hospital each year from a quad bike incident.

SAY NO to children under 16 years old on adult sized quad bikes – including as a passenger.

Seatbelts Save Lives

Visit Safework NSW for information on Side-by-side vehicles (SSVs). Since 2011, 18 children have lost their lives in SSV incidents in Australia. These deaths are preventable.

The NSW Farm Safety Advisory Program, in partnership with the NSW Farmers Association, offers local farmers access to rebates and tools to improve safety. This includes rebates for lifesaving equipment like roll bars, helmets, and other safety measures.

Farmers in our region are encouraged to:

• Use SafeWork’s Farm Safety Assessment Tool to identify risks
• Enforce strict safety rules for machinery and animal handling
• Ensure children wear helmets for horse riding, and are supervised at all times when interacting with large animals
• Access the $1,000 rebate to purchase safety items through SafeWork NSW

Kiama’s farming community prides itself on being welcoming and family-oriented, but no family should face the devastation of a preventable accident. The festive season should be a time for joy, not tragedy.

Whether you’re a local farmer hosting visitors, or a family enjoying a rural getaway, follow the rules, use protective gear, and stay vigilant. For more information, visit the SafeWork NSW website. Together, let’s ensure our farms remain beautiful, productive, and, most importantly, safe for everyone this holiday season.