AN innovative new roll bar – designed especially for quads – could help to reduce fatalities and serious injuries if the vehicles overturn, according to the Irish suppliers for the product.

Known as ‘LifeGuard’, the new roll bar is an arc of flexible shock absorbing material fitted to the back of the quad – in contrast to the solid steel types often seen on older tractors without cabs.

However, the ‘jury is still out’ on the effectiveness of roll bars on quads – the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) say that ‘they do not have sufficient information at this time to form a view on the effectiveness of these novel designs’.

Because of that insufficient information and research, the HSA say that they are not in a position at present to issue an instruction or recommendation in respect of the new devices.

The HSA do acknowledge however that at least one of the newly designed flexible roll bars has been certified in accordance with the requirements of the European Community Machinery Directive.

They say that such devices (ROPS – roll over protection devices) are now available on the market for ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) – as of now though, the HSA say, their use is at the discretion of the owner/operator.

In their Quad Bike Safety Update the HSA state: “Vehicles continue to be the biggest killers on Irish farms. In the past 10 years (2008-2017) there were 12 quad bike fatalities out of a total of 64 farm vehicle fatalities.

“Quad bike fatalities represented 19% of all farm vehicle fatalities during this period. 75% of those that suffered fatal quad bike accidents were aged 60 years or older.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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