INFO: A survey of farmers and their use of quad bikes to apply sprays has been developed by student researcher Jordan Walker.
Written by Alastair Dowie for Stock & Land, published on 22nd July 2021
National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) student researcher Jordan Walker wants to understand the use of quadbikes for spraying on the farm.
The rise in quadbike related fatalities in Australia last year, combined with minimal quadbike spraying research in Australia, makes this new research particularly vital.
For many Victorian farmers, the quadbike is vital to everyday farm operations, with their use in tasks such as mustering, transport, hunting and spraying.
However, while quadbikes can be incredibly helpful on the farm, they can also be a dangerous vehicle that has the potential to cause injury.
Jordan Walker said the survey was part of his thesis for his honors year of his Bachelor of Health and Medical Science.
He said the farming side of health had always been an interest.
He also had a brother who was involved in an accident on a quad bike.
He said at this stage there were about 30 responses with the survey period to late August.
One of the aims was to see how widespread the use of quad bikes to spray.
“Once I dive a bit more into the responses I will be able to get more results,” he said.
NCFH is seeking farmers and agricultural workers around Victoria to participate in an online survey.
The survey will only take 5 to 10 minutes, with questions about your farm, quadbike use and agrichemical use.
The Quadbike spraying and injury surveillance project (QuadSIS) aims to help researchers understand:
- extent to which quadbikes are used for spraying on the farm
- the types of agrichemicals applied using quadbikes
- whether spraying on a quadbike creates increased risks that may lead to injury
Participation in the QuadSIS project will help inform more targeted education into how farmers can use their quadbike to safely apply agrichemicals without putting their health and safety at risk.
For more information contact Jordan Walker, Student Researcher, on walkerjor@deakin.edu.au
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