Charles
V. Schwab, Laura
Miller and Sonny Satre
Iowa State University Extension
Farm
operators may purchase all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to haul
livestock feed or get to the field but ATVs often serve another
purpose: recreation. Since youth are frequently victims of
accidents involving the popular multi-wheeled vehicles, it's
important that all family members know and follow necessary
precautions every time ATVs are used - for work or for play.
According
to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, four out of
every 10 people treated each year in emergency rooms for ATV
injuries are under age 16. In 1993, the Iowa Department of
Public Health reported at least 50 injuries (including one
fatality and nine hospitalizations) from farm-related ATV
accidents. Not included are many accidents unrelated to agriculture.
This
publication briefly discusses major safety concerns related
to ATVs, including the need for protective gear, a pre-ride
inspection, and proper operation. Parents also should determine
each family member's readiness to operate an ATV based on
physical size, coordination, balance, ability to judge distances,
willingness to follow rules, and peripheral vision.
Manufacturers'
guidelines suggest that no one under age 16 should operate
an ATV with an engine larger than 90CC. They also recommend
an engine between 70 and 90CC for youth under 12, and an engine
70CC or smaller for children under age 6. Although a child
may be old enough to ride a certain sized ATV, not all youth
have the strength, skills, or maturity needed to operate it
safely. See the back page for how to get more information
on how to decide.
All
ATVs must be registered in the county of residence in Iowa.
Iowa law also prohibits their use on public roads, and certain
restrictions apply to their use on public land and land purchased
with snowmobile registration fees. Anyone under age 18 must
have a valid safety certificate to operate an ATV, and youth
between ages 12 and 15 must have a certificate and be under
direct parental or adult supervision.
Head
protection. A helmet is the most important piece of safety
gear for an ATV operator. If designed for ATV use, a helmet
can prevent serious head injuries. Helmets used for bicycling,
skateboarding, and rollerblading should not be used on ATVs
because they lack face protection and the ability to absorb
energy on impact. Look for helmets with a label from the American
National Standards Institute, Department of Transportation,
or the Snell Memorial Foundation to verify that the helmet has
been safety tested. The helmet also must be able to resist a
blow from a sharp object, stay in place, and provide a minimum
amount of peripheral (side) vision. Correct size is essential,
especially for young operators.
Eye
protection. A face shield may be part of the helmet. If
not, wear an ANSI-approved pair of goggles or glasses with
hard-coated polycarbonate lenses. This will protect your eyes
from rocks, twigs, branches, flying dirt, insects, or water,
that can cause you to lose control or damage your eyes.
Body
protection. Gloves protect hands from scrapes and scratches,
improve grip on the controls, and reduce soreness from the
pressure of holding onto the handle bars. Boots protect feet
from trail debris and keep feet properly placed on the footrest,
which is important in maintaining balance and control of the
ATV. Also recommended are a sturdy, long-sleeved shirt or
jacket and long pants to protect arms and legs from cuts or
scrapes caused by trail debris and branches. Proper clothing
also protects the operator from problems caused by weather
conditions, including sunburn and frostbite. Optional gear,
worn by professional riders, includes a padded jersey and
shin guards.
- Tires
and wheels - Make sure air pressure in tires is as recommended
and check for cuts or gouges. Tighten axle nuts and secure
by a cotter pin.
- Controls
and cables - Check location and make sure all work.
Throttle should move smoothly when handlebar is in different
positions. Brakes should be properly adjusted and foot shift
firmly fastened.
- Lights
and electrical system - Ignition switch should stop
engine when in "off" position and when in "on" position,
headlights and tailights should work.
- Oil
and fuel - Check oil and fuel levels.
- Chain
and/or driveshaft chassis - Inspect, adjust, and lubricate
chain and/or drive-shaft chassis. Check for nuts and bolts
loosened by vibration.
This
refers to steps to use every time you start the ATV:
- Brakes
- Always have parking brakes on.
- On
position - for fuel cap vent or valve, and then for
ignition key (if equipped).
- Neutral
- The transmission always must be in the neutral position.
- Engine
- The engine stop switch should be in the "run" or "start"
position.
- Choke
- If the engine is cold, put the choke in the "on" position
and start the engine according to the manual.
ATVs
handle differently from other vehicles, such as motorcycles
and cars. Therefore, it's important to know how to turn, go
up and down hills, and select safe routes. Operators also need
good judgment in maintaining a safe distances behind other ATVs,
knowing when to turn around due to weather, fuel needs, or darkness,
and following laws.
Always
scan the environment ahead and identify visible hazards, such
as rocks or stumps, low or fallen branches, fences, guy wires,
and rough or unstable trail surfaces. Some hazards may be
hidden or appear unexpectedly, such as other riders or wildlife.
Fixed obstacles, such as railroad tracks, driveways, or waterways
also can be hazardous if the operator does not anticipate
them.
Operating
an ATV safely also requires skill and practice. The ATV operator
must know the proper speed, also where and how much weight
to shift while making turns and riding up and down hills.
The
operator also must be willing to follow rules. Never allow
passengers on the ATV, or allow anyone to operate it who has
not had proper training or may be under the influence of alcohol
or drugs. ATVs are designed for one person only - the operator.
An extra person will interfere with normal operation of the
vehicle. The added weight also will complicate handling of
the ATV up and down slopes, around curves, and stopping distances.
Operators also must know and be willing to follow local and
state laws that apply to ATVs.
All-terrain
vehicles can be both practical and fun for farm families but
they also pose risks. Reduce the dangers, and the number and
severity of injuries, by following good safety practices whenever
an ATV is used.
How
much do you know?
- What
does each letter in the BONEC acronym mean?
- Tire
pressure may cause ATVs to handle improperly. True or false?
- How
many passengers, at most, are ATVs designed to carry?
- none
- one
- two
- three
- What
is the most important piece of safety gear needed for riding
an ATV?
- chest
protection
- boots
- helmet
- gloves
- ATVs
must be registered in Iowa. True or false?
See
answers at the end of the next section.
What
can you do?
- Become
trained in how to use and handle an ATV.
- Always
wear an approved helmet when riding an ATV. A strip of reflective
tape on back of helmet gives extra visibility at night.
- Inspect
the helmet for wear; replace after every accident or every
two to four years.
- Know
and follow laws that apply to ATV operation.
- Use
caution on unfamiliar roads and avoid excessive speeds.
- Ask
permission before riding on private property and leave the
area clean.
- Never
allow passengers.
Answers
to quiz:
1-Brakes,
On, Neutral, Engine, Choke; 2-True; 3-a; 4-c; 5-True.
- For
a summary of Iowa snowmobile and ATV regulations, contact
the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State
Office Bldg., 900 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0039.
- For
training, contact the ATV Safety Institute, (toll-free)
1-800-887-2887. For a youth readiness checklist and age
recommendations, contact the ATV Safety Hotline, (toll-free)
1-800-852-5344.
- For
other information, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
(toll-free) 1-800-638-2772.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document
is Fact Sheet
Pm-1563c
,
a series of the Safe Farm Program, Iowa State University Extension,
Ames, Iowa. Safe Farm promotes health and safety in agriculture.
It is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH #U05/CCU706051-03), Iowa State University,
and a network of groups that serve Iowa farm workers and their
families. Publication date: September 1994.
Written
by Charles V. Schwab, extension safety specialist, and Laura
Miller, extension communications, Iowa State University Extension,
Ames, Iowa; and Sonny Satre, Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
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