Late last year the Bligh Government said it would examine whether helmets would need to become compulsory on farms, also Crush Protection Devices, or roll-bars, after a horror year of deaths and injuries during 2011.

With the mercury peaking at eight year highs across southern Queensland, property owner and AgForce vice-president Ian Burnett, speaking from Emerald, where the temperature was heading for 38 deg C, said the requirement for quad-bike riders to wear helmets would be difficult to maintain – principally because current designs don’t provide shade protection.

As well, AgForce is taking a cautious approach over any move to have quad-bikes fitted with crush protection devices, or roll-bars.

“While we all have to be mindful of the health and safety aspects, also the horrifying (injury) statistics, the record of quad-bikes on properties is a concern,” Ian Burnett said.

“There needs to be quite a bit more input and research (into the issues),” he added.

Meanwhile, forestalling any possible tightening up of quad-bike safety legislation in Queensland sees the Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC) ideally-placed to take on board any changes.

As well as adopting safe riding techniques, all AACC students must wear helmets as a compulsory part of the uniform - just like closed-in shoes – with the organisation’s quad-bikes additionally fitted with Crush Protection Devices, or roll-bars.

“AACC students are trained to wear helmets, follow manufacturer guidelines and use the vehicle in the best way for specific,” AACC executive director Tony Rayner said.

“The incidence of quad-bike fatalities and injuries is alarming and we are proud to instil appropriate safety practices in both full-time residential students and those undertaking short courses with us,” he added.

With most small to medium-size grazing enterprises using quad-bikes, also motor bikes for mustering, fencing, property inspection, spraying and general inspection, the issue is being closely tracked by land owners.