NAAC launches online ATV safety campaign
© Tim Scrivener The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has launched an online safety campaign to raise awareness about the importance of wearing helmets and receiving proper training when using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
The #IfNotWhyNot campaign launched on 10 October encourages ATV users to question other users about the reasons for not wearing helmets.
This initiative builds on last year’s #WearItAndShareIt campaign, which urged individuals to don helmets and share photos on social media.
Despite ongoing warnings about the risks associated with ATV use, statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that since April, five fatalities in England, Scotland, and Wales have been linked to ATVs, including two involving children.
Additionally, agriculture accounts for 17% of all workplace fatalities, with farming having the highest accident rate of any occupation.
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In response to these statistics, NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt said: “I find it shocking we are still getting so many fatalities. As an industry, we have to change; we cannot accept these figures anymore.
“The agricultural industry is quite risk-taking, and that has to stop. We can’t keep losing people to ATV accidents.”
The #IfNotWhyNot campaign aims to instil a culture of safety within the agricultural community, with the X tagline: “Wearing a helmet & receiving adequate training will reduce the chance of a serious head injury if your ATV overturns.”
Wearing a helmet & receiving adequate training will reduce the chance of a serious head injury if your ATV overturns. Did you join #WearItandShareIt? #IfNotWhyNot? Share & comment to help raise awareness & find solutions. #NoExcuses #ComeHomeSafe @agricontract #OllyBlogs pic.twitter.com/AIHL7T4zjM
— The NAAC (@TheNAAC) October 13, 2024
The NAAC stresses that safety should be a priority.
Ms Hewitt said: “We continue to make excuses as an industry and we need to stop. I often hear, ‘I only ride on the flat, I’m not going up into the hills,’ but people need to remember there is still danger.
“A helmet is a cheap way to cut risk; I don’t know how you can justify not wearing one when we are all aware of the dangers.”
By sharing this message across social media, the campaign hopes to encourage individuals to reflect on their safety practices using the hashtag #NoExcuses.
HSE has confirmed that if an ATV accident occurs and an individual is not wearing a helmet, this will be a critical factor in the investigation and may lead to enforcement actions, including prosecution.
Inspectors will also take action if they see anyone working on a farm without a helmet.
The NAAC urges farmers to engage with the campaign and foster a community where everyone looks out for each other.