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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s an accident waiting to happen. Or maybe, it’s a recreational vehicle. But the number of job-related ATV deaths and injuries is going up. Workplace ATV accidents may even exceed recreation-related mishaps in the near future.

More and more All-Terrain Vehicles are being used in farming, construction, facilities management, and law enforcement, among other jobs.

ATVs can be tricky to drive. Combine low-pressure, fat tires with handlebar manipulation and a motor, and you’ve got a recipe for accidents. Even expert drivers with car and truck licenses may find them difficult to maneuver.

The All-Terrain Vehicles may be quick to overturn on steep inclines, and sharp turns can result in rollovers as well. Overloading is a problem with ATVs. They are not designed for heavy moving, and are usually equipped with racks for luggage or other light loads. The overloaded ATV is particularly hazardous on a steep hill or other incline.

The Ohio Worker Safety alert stresses that drivers should adhere to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines for weight limit and numbers of passengers when driving an ATV. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind. First, wear a helmet. Second, receive training to operate an ATV, because even if you are licensed for car or truck operation, the ATV will handle differently. OSHA has a set of guidelines for off-road motorized vehicle with low-pressure tires, handlebars for steering, and a seat straddled by the driver. The vehicle may also include a storage rack at back or front for limited carrying.

The dangers of driving an ATV in the workplace are clearly not theoretical. OSHA statistics show that the number of fatal accidents has climbed steadily upward since 1992.  In 9 years alone, there were 113 workplace deaths on ATVs. Injuries in accidents are often severe enough to require an employee to miss a day or more of work. In the past 9 years there were 1,625 such mishaps.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission also keeps statistics. According to that organization, which has compiled numbers of ATV accidents during recreational use, fatalities were up significantly in a 22-year period – from 29 in 1982 to 470 in 2004.

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