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Wisconsin Worker Safety Alert ATVs

June 7th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

Make no mistake about it. Operating an ATV on the job can be dangerous.

ATVs tend to roll over. They don’t handle like a car or a motorcycle.

Training in the use of an All Terrain Vehicle is necessary, according to Wisconsin OSHA. Many people don’t realize that’s the case, because the ATV is usually seen as a recreational vehicle that even children drive. So there’s an assumption that no training is required.

But a new Wisconsin worker safety alert stresses the dangers of using ATVs on the job. A new bulleting describes what guidelines should be followed for operating the machines and for setting up training programs. The Wisconsin Department of Labor and Wisconsin OSHA, point out that many employees aren’t receiving training in the operation of the vehicles.

The Wisconsin worker safety alert points out that ATVs are being used with greater frequency in the workplace. More deaths and serious injuries are following. For example, in the last 10 years, more than 100 workers have been killed while operating ATVs on the job.

The new guidelines apply to any vehicle that’s operated off-road, and has a seat straddled by the driver, as well as handlebars and low-pressure tires. The guide specifies that these are machines operated by a single driver, and with no passenger. They allow for rear or front storage racks to carry small amounts of equipment.

The guidelines describe the need for changing work habits. Workplace ATV drivers, for example, should wear helmets. But the most important need is for specific training to operate the All Terrain Vehicle.

Fatalities because of recreational use are also up. In 1982, 29 people died in recreational ATV accidents. Just 22 years later, in 2004, the rate of death was up to 470. Injuries reached a record high of 136,100. And in the past 10 years, there were a staggering 800,000 ATV injuries reported.