Rural ISSC communique: June 2025
The Rural Industry Sector Standing Committee (the Committee) met on 11 June 2025.
Members welcomed expert insights following Professor Richard Franklin’s presentation on quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles to the Work Health and Safety Board meeting in May.
Professor Franklin highlighted the safety challenges in regional and agricultural settings and
the disconnect between vehicle usage and safety culture.
Members noted:
- there are higher fatality rates on side-by-side vehicles than quad bikes
- the need to improve user proficiency and safety culture, especially among older riders and regional users
- misconceptions about stability due to the four-wheel design
- Crush Protection Devices (CPDs) are not prescribed in Queensland legislation
- limited regional access to training despite a high demand
- Safe Work Australia’s Quadwatch website - Quadwatch | Safe Work Australia provides broad safety and data information.
Committee members commended OIR’s proactive work in mental health and psychosocial risks in agriculture and discussed the unique pressures faced by those in regional areas, including fatigue, trauma, and isolation.
The Committee noted that OIR is developing comprehensive industry guidance on heat stress, which will be accompanied by communication strategies to support awareness and adoption.
The Farm Safety Calendar competition 2026 was launched on 4 June and is open for submission by any child up to Year 6 – for details, see Farm safety calendar competition | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au.
Members noted the commencement of audiometric testing requirements under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2011 from 29 July 2025. Members also noted that hearing loss can be caused or made worse by a person’s exposure to ototoxins (such as fuels and some pesticides).
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
ISSC secretariat | Email: oirboardsandcommittees@oir.qld.gov.au