Farm safety measures prevent serious injury
18 January 2026
Quad bikes and side-by-sides are among the most frequently used machines on Australian farms, but they can “turn dangerous very, very quickly,” warns 24-year-old northern Tasmanian dairy farmer Sean Schofield.
According to Farmsafe Australia’s 2025 Safer Farms Report, quad bike incidents are the leading cause of farm injuries, accounting for 35 per cent, while side-by-sides are the leading cause of farm-related fatalities.
Earlier this year, Sean received news no one wants to hear: there had been a vehicle-related incident on his employer’s farm.
A co-worker riding a quad bike had noticed cows escaping from a paddock and moved to retrieve them. The worker was operating the vehicle in line with established farm procedures and was wearing a certified helmet at the time of the incident. “As they rounded a corner, they lost control of the bike,” Sean says. “There was a drop near the fence, and they fell about two metres, narrowly missing some large rocks.”
The use of certified protective equipment and adherence to correct procedures played a critical role in preventing serious injury.
The worker had also recently completed quad bike and side-by-side safety training. “A couple of months before the incident, our whole team undertook quad bike and side-by-side safety training,” Sean says. “We also had people attend from other farms.”
While no serious injuries occurred, the incident was a stark reminder of the risks involved and the importance of training, protective equipment, and safe vehicle operation.
Having seen how a “split-second” lapse in attention can lead to serious consequences, Sean is concerned about workers who may not be trained or who fail to follow safety guidelines.
He credits his employer’s strong commitment to safety—demonstrated through proactive training, the use of certified safety equipment, and participation in Dairy Australia’s SAFER Farms program—for helping prevent a far worse outcome.
Sean, who has worked in the dairy industry for more than five years and attended numerous Dairy Australia workshops and events, says it was the first serious incident he had experienced on a farm.
“It was a bit of a reality check,” he says. “A reminder to take safety seriously.”
Since the incident, Sean and several colleagues have chosen to purchase their own helmets, even though the farm supplies certified safety helmets. “A helmet is a very personal thing,” he explains. “If you’re wearing it for hours at a time, it’s worth having one that fits properly and feels right.”
“When there is a safety incident or near miss on a farm—even if no one is injured—it’s critical to review what happened to reduce the chance of it happening again,” says Sarah Cornell, Dairy Australia’s National Capability Lead.
“Regular safety training, proper equipment maintenance, and following safe work practices aren’t just legal requirements—they’re what ensure people go home safely at the end of the day,” she says.
“It’s encouraging to see Sean sharing this experience. Stories like this help others learn without having to make the same mistakes.”
Dairy Australia supports farmers to work safely and efficiently through practical resources, safety checklists, and on-farm programs that help protect workers, families, and livelihoods.
For more information about farm safety including practical tools, checklists and resources, contact your local Dairy Australia team or visit Farm safety and wellbeing on the Dairy Australia website.
Earlier this year, Sean received news no one wants to hear: there had been a vehicle-related incident on his employer’s farm.
A co-worker riding a quad bike had noticed cows escaping from a paddock and moved to retrieve them. The worker was operating the vehicle in line with established farm procedures and was wearing a certified helmet at the time of the incident. “As they rounded a corner, they lost control of the bike,” Sean says. “There was a drop near the fence, and they fell about two metres, narrowly missing some large rocks.”
The use of certified protective equipment and adherence to correct procedures played a critical role in preventing serious injury.
The worker had also recently completed quad bike and side-by-side safety training. “A couple of months before the incident, our whole team undertook quad bike and side-by-side safety training,” Sean says. “We also had people attend from other farms.”
While no serious injuries occurred, the incident was a stark reminder of the risks involved and the importance of training, protective equipment, and safe vehicle operation.
Having seen how a “split-second” lapse in attention can lead to serious consequences, Sean is concerned about workers who may not be trained or who fail to follow safety guidelines.
He credits his employer’s strong commitment to safety—demonstrated through proactive training, the use of certified safety equipment, and participation in Dairy Australia’s SAFER Farms program—for helping prevent a far worse outcome.
Sean, who has worked in the dairy industry for more than five years and attended numerous Dairy Australia workshops and events, says it was the first serious incident he had experienced on a farm.
“It was a bit of a reality check,” he says. “A reminder to take safety seriously.”
Since the incident, Sean and several colleagues have chosen to purchase their own helmets, even though the farm supplies certified safety helmets. “A helmet is a very personal thing,” he explains. “If you’re wearing it for hours at a time, it’s worth having one that fits properly and feels right.”
“When there is a safety incident or near miss on a farm—even if no one is injured—it’s critical to review what happened to reduce the chance of it happening again,” says Sarah Cornell, Dairy Australia’s National Capability Lead.
“Regular safety training, proper equipment maintenance, and following safe work practices aren’t just legal requirements—they’re what ensure people go home safely at the end of the day,” she says.
“It’s encouraging to see Sean sharing this experience. Stories like this help others learn without having to make the same mistakes.”
Dairy Australia supports farmers to work safely and efficiently through practical resources, safety checklists, and on-farm programs that help protect workers, families, and livelihoods.
For more information about farm safety including practical tools, checklists and resources, contact your local Dairy Australia team or visit Farm safety and wellbeing on the Dairy Australia website.