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Yet another work-related accident involving an ATV has occurred – this time, with fatal results. In a fatality investigated by the local area office of  OSHA, the driver was applying herbicide to weeds when the accident occurred. The employer had had fitted the sprayer on the rear cargo rack, casing the vehicle to become more unstable. Driving on a steep incline over rough terrain contributed to the accident as well, according to OSHA.

The operator was driving uphill when the ATVs front wheels left the ground. The vehicle began to flip over, and she tried to stabilize it by standing up. When that failed, she tried unsuccessfully to jump out of the way, but was crushed. The heavy herbicide sprayer had redistributed the weight over the wheelbase.

Most of us are used to thinking of ATVs almost as toys, however, when modified for work, they can be very dangerous.

Untrained workplace ATV drivers who are not using safety measures can put themselves at risk of injury and death, according to a Washington worker safety alert.

The alert follows a fatal accident in which a worker was killed while operating an All-Terrain Vehicle with an herbicide sprayer that was 55 pounds over the manufacturer’s recommended weight limit. The Bismarck, North Dakota OSHA office investigated the accident.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that ATV deaths have climbed more than 15-fold in a 24 year period, from 29 in 1982 to 470 in 2004. Injuries reached a new high of 136,100.

OSHA has released a bulletin with guidelines for operation. The most important recommendation is training employees in the use of the ATV. While it has a reputation as a recreational vehicle sometimes operated by children, it is nevertheless tricky to maneuver — not at all similar in its operation to a car or truck. Employees should use helmets while operating All-Terrain Vehicles. OSHA also recommends following manufacturers’ weight guidelines.  

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