WorkSafe says it has already been considering recommendations a coroner outlined yesterday regarding quad bike deaths and injuries in her plea for stronger government action on the issue.
Coroner Brigitte Windley yesterday released a report regarding Neville Ian Anderson, who died in September 2014 after being crushed by a quad bike which rolled while he was working on Cullen Farm, Clarendon, near Milton.
In a statement, Ms Windley said the number of quad bike deaths and injuries were ''unacceptably high'' and suggested a ''cross-agency working group'' convene to consider new approaches.
She cited national statistics from last year which showed a record 14 quad bike deaths as of October, and 850 injuries. However, these were not all on workplace incidents.
New approaches to be considered included mandatory ''roll-over-protection'' devices on the vehicles, based on new Australian research; subsidies for rider training, the fitting and purchase of roll-over-protection and the sale of alternative vehicles for farmers; and a national five-star safety rating system.
WorkSafe agriculture sector lead Al McCone said it was already considering all of these recommendations.
It was assessing the new Australian research on mandatory roll-over-protection devices, but had not implemented rules yet because it contradicted other research, he said.
''So we're balancing that against evidence by manufacturers and we expect to be able to go with our findings to the farming groups ... we work with within the next two months.''
The recent research said on balance more people were saved by the devices than harmed by them.
''However, there was a concerted campaign which continues today by manufacturers saying that these things are dangerous and you shouldn't have them on your bikes.
''We have to be satisfied on balance that you will be saved rather than injured with these devices.''
New South Wales is considering a five-star rating system for the vehicles, which would give buyers information about their safety.
''So we're talking about that with them. About how it might work and how it might be implemented and the safety benefits that might come out of it.
As for the coroner's call for a formal cross-agency working group, this would be unlikely, he said.
It already worked closely with the Accident Compensation Corporation and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
''With something more formal you have to ask what this will add.''
Various subsidies were being considered, but WorkSafe could not yet say whether they would be implemented.
Ms Windley said it was ''imperative'' the Government did further work to address the issue. Her findings into Mr Anderson's death echoed a series of findings issued by deputy chief coroner Brandt Shortland in 2013. She acknowledged roll-over-protection devices were controversial, but said recent studies meant the issue should be revisited.
ACC declined to comment on the issue. Federated Farmers did not respond to questions by deadline yesterday.
