ATVs (all terrain vehicles) are not just for recreational use. They’re important in many workplaces. Because they’re designed to get through rough terrain quickly, ATVs are invaluable for those in:

• Mineral and oil exploration
• Pipeline maintenance
• Surveying
• Ranching and farming
• Emergency medical response
• Law enforcement, border patrols and security
• Resource management, such as forests and wildlife
• Adventure tourism

Although many of the injuries associated with ATVs occur during recreational use, OSHA reports that since 1990 there have been 24 fatalities and 26 injuries involving ATVs in the workplace. These incidents resulted mostly from:

• Unbalanced loads and loads in excess of ATV’s specified limits, including overloading the rear cargo rack
• Operating at excessive speeds
• Carrying passengers
• Operating on paved roads
• Operator not wearing a protective helmet
• Lack of ATV training

Since many workplaces are now using these vehicles, it’s important that safety supervisors ensure that their workers adopt safe ATV operating practices.

Here are 12 essential ATV safety tips to share with your workers – whether they use ATVs at work or at play:

1. Get proper training. According to the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), half of injured ATV drivers had less than one year of experience and a quarter of injured drivers had less than one month of experience.

2. Read and understand the operator’s manual before you ride. This should be kept available in the vehicle or at the worksite.

3. Find out if there are any site-specific hazards, such as excavations, trenches or areas where ATV use is prohibited.

4. If you’re hauling a load, ensure that it is in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and does not exceed the weight limit. Check also that the load is evenly distributed.

5. Wear the gear. ATV operators must wear the appropriate gear to protect their safety. Personal protective equipment includes:

• An approved helmet, properly maintained and replaced if damaged
• Eye and face protection consisting of a face shield attached to the helmet or wrap-around goggles
• Gloves to protect your hands and help you keep a grip on the handlebars
• Long pants and long-sleeved shirt or jacket
• Sturdy boots that cover the ankles

6. Conduct a pre-ride inspection, checking tire condition and pressure. Are the throttle, brakes, headlights and taillights all working properly? Check the steering (at low speeds) and the suspension system.

7. When driving, watch where you’re going. Look for hazards such as rocks, stumps, low or fallen branches, fences, guy wires and rough or unstable trail surfaces, railroad tracks and waterways.

8. Don’t speed. Recommended speeds are for ideal conditions only. Adjust your speed for ruts, bumps, uneven terrain, hills and other conditions.

9. Don’t carry passengers. Most ATVs are designed to carry one person. Additional riders make if difficult to maintain balance and properly maneuver the ATV. Vehicle instability caused by an additional rider contributes to many ATV accidents.

10. Keep both hands on the handlebars and both feet on the foot rests.

11. Don’t operate an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as these compromise a driver’s reaction time and judgment – two skills essential for safe operation of any motorized vehicle.

12. Don’t drive on paved roads. ATVs were designed for off-road driving and are difficult to control on paved roads.

And here’s a final ATV safety warning for parents: Don’t let children drive ATVs designed for adults. According to the CPSC, children who drive adult ATVs are twice as likely to be injured as those who ride ATVs designed for youth.

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