Safety, Health and Emergency Readiness

ATV/UTV Safety

All-terrain and utility vehicles make quick work of fence checks, feed runs and moving between barns. They are also a major source of farm injuries, and many of them are preventable.

Why these vehicles injure so many people

ATVs and UTVs are fast, light and easy to start, and they are used on rough, uneven ground. They can roll, flip and collide, and a rider can be thrown or crushed. Many injuries involve speed, inexperience, extra passengers, no helmet or a vehicle used for something it was not designed to do.

The CDC and the OSHA site discuss vehicle safety on farms, and extension programs like Texas A&M AgriLife Extension often offer training. Check the manual for your machine.

Even experienced riders get hurt. A moment of inattention on rough ground is enough, so training and rules apply to everyone, including those who have ridden for decades.

ATV or UTV: they are not the same

An ATV is typically a single-rider machine controlled by shifting body weight. A UTV, sometimes called a side-by-side, has seats, a steering wheel and often a cargo bed. Each has its own limits and risks.

Do not carry passengers on an ATV designed for one rider. In a UTV, use seat belts and any protective structure provided. Know which machine you have, and follow its labels and manual.

Check the labels and manual for weight limits and tire pressure, and do not modify the machine in ways that change its handling.

Gear and rules that make a difference

Wear a properly fitted helmet, eye protection, sturdy boots, gloves and clothing that covers arms and legs. In a UTV, wear the seat belt and keep arms and legs inside. Do not ride impaired or while tired.

Set farm rules: speed limits, no stunts, no extra riders, no unsupervised children on machines too big for them, and no use at night without lights. Put rules in writing, and enforce them for everyone, including the owner.

Keep gloves and eye protection in the vehicle so they are always at hand, and replace a cracked helmet instead of reusing it.

• Helmet and eye protection
• Seat belts in UTVs
• No extra passengers
• Speed limits on farm lanes
• No riding impaired or while very tired

Loads, slopes and terrain

Loads change how a machine handles. Heavy or high loads raise the risk of rolling, and loads can shift on a slope. Slow down on slopes, turn gently and avoid crossing steep ground. Know the machine's limits.

Wet ground, loose gravel and ditches add risk. Walk or inspect unfamiliar ground before driving it when you can. In Texas, dry creek beds, caliche roads and washouts can surprise even careful drivers.

Think about the task, too. If a job repeatedly requires heavy loads on slopes, a different tool, such as a tractor or a trailer, may be the safer choice.

Youth and training

Machines are not toys. Children and teens should only operate vehicles sized for them, under supervision, after training, and in line with manufacturer guidance and applicable rules. The Department of Labor explains rules about young workers in agriculture, so check current requirements.

Give every new worker hands-on training, not just a quick ride. Training covers starting, stopping, turning, slopes, loads, hazards and what to do if the machine tips.

Keep a short written agreement for family members who ride, with the same rules that apply to workers.

Maintenance and checks

Do a quick check before each use: tires, brakes, steering, lights, fuel, guards and loose parts. Keep machines in good repair, and take any that are faulty out of service.

Keep records of repairs. Replace worn tires and guards. Store keys where untrained people cannot use them. See this farm safety guide and this farm equipment guide for related topics.

Fuel and stored machines need attention too. Keep fuel in approved containers and store vehicles in a way that keeps keys away from children. For emergency planning ideas, see Ready.gov.

Emergencies and more reading

Know how to call for help from remote parts of the farm, and carry a phone or radio. Tell someone where you are going. Workers' compensation rules are explained by the Texas Department of Insurance.

For other reading, farm.FM has farming stories and dairy stories, including a farm.FM piece on farm vehicles. This is general education, not a safety standard.

A written ride plan for remote jobs, even a text to a co-worker, can speed up help if something goes wrong.

Sources and further reading

• CDC: public health
• OSHA: workplace safety
• U.S. Department of Labor: labor rules and programs
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas extension service
• Texas Department of Insurance, Workers Compensation: Texas workers comp information
• National Weather Service: forecasts and warnings

Ask locally: Ask your dealer, extension agent or a safety professional for hands-on training on your machines.