Safety Alert
25
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Many people including children, have died in accidents associated
with ATV’s.
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Collated by Farm Safe Australia, an Australian Government backed
organisation, there were 14 deaths related to ATV operation on
Australian farms during 2002.
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Many people have become severely paralysed or suffered severe
internal injuries as a result of accidents associated with ATV’s
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Every month many people are treated in hospital emergency rooms
for injuries received while riding an ATV.
You should be aware that AN ATV IS NOT A TOY AND CAN BE HAZ-
ARDOUS TO OPERATE. An ATV handles differently from other vehicles,
including motorcycles and cars. A collision or rollover can occur quickly,
even during routing manoveuvres such as turning and driving on hills and
over obstacles, if you fail to take proper precautions.
TO AVOID DEATH OR SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY
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ALWAYS READ THE OWNERS MANUAL CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW
THE OPERATING PROCEDURES DESCRIBED. PAY SPECIAL ATTEN-
TION TO THE WARNINGS CONTAINED IN THE MANUAL AND ON
ALL LABELS.
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NEVER OPERATE AN ATV WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUCTION. IT IS
ADVISABLE TO COMPLETE AN ACCREDITTED ATV TRAINING
COURSE.
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ALWAYS FOLLOW THESE AGE RECOMMENDATIONS:
- A CHILD UNDER 12 YEARS OLD SHOULD NEVER OPERATE AN
ATV WITH AN ENGINE SIZE 70CC OR GREATER.
- A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OLD SHOULD NEVER OPERATE AN
ATV WITH AN ENGINE SIZE GREATER THAN 90CC.
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NEVER ALLOW A CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OLD TO OPERATE AN
ATV WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION. CHILDREN NEED TO BE
OBSERVED CAREFULLY BECAUSE NOT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE
STRENGTH, SIZE, SKILLS OR JUDGEMENT NEEDED TO OPERATE
AN ATV SAFELY.
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NEVER CARRY A PASSENGER ON AN ATV. CARRYING A PASSEN-
GER MAY UPSET THE BALANCE OF THE ATV AND MAY CAUSE IT
TO GO OUT OF CONTROL.
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ALWAYS AVOID PAVED SURFACES. ATV’S ARE NOT DESIGNED TO
BE USED ON PAVED SURFACES AND PAVEMENT MAY SERIOUSLY
AFFECT HANDLING AND CONTROL.
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NEVER OPERATE AN ATV ON A PUBLIC ROAD, EVEN A DIRT OR
GRAVEL ONE, BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID COL-
LIDING WITH OTHER VEHICLES. ALSO, OPERATING AN ATV ON A
PUBLIC ROAD MAY BE AGAINST THE LAW.
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NEVER OPERATE AN ATV WITHOUT AN APPROVED MOTORCYCLE
HELMET, EYE PROTECTION, BOOTS, GLOVES, LONG PANTS AND
LONG SLEEVE SHIRT OR JACKET.
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NEVER CONSUME ALCOHOL OR DRUGS BEFORE OR WHILE
OPERATING AN ATV.
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NEVER OPERATE AN ATV AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS. GO AT A SPEED
WHICH IS PROPER FOR THE TERRAIN, VISIBILITY CONDITIONS,
AND YOUR EXPERIENCE.
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NEVER ATTEMPT TO DO WHEELIES, JUMPS OR OTHER STUNTS.
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ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WHEN OPERATING AN ATV, ESPECIALLY
WHEN APPROACHING HILLS, TURNS AND OBSTACLES AND
WHEN OPERATING ON UNFAMILIAR OR ROUGH TERRAIN.
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NEVER LEND YOUR ATV TO ANYONE WHO HAS NOT TAKEN A
TRAINING COURSE OR HAS NO PREVIOUS ATV RIDING
EXPERIENCE.
