A Tararua farm manager has been ordered to pay $75,000 in reparations to the family of a farmhand who died after the poorly maintained quad bike he was riding rolled.
Ethen Payne was riding the bike at low speed while working on an Eketāhuna dairy farm in November 2022 when it flipped. The 31-year-old was killed as a result.
A WorkSafe investigation found the bike, which was bought second-hand, had no crush protection device, worn brakes, uneven tyre pressure and poor suspension.
The bike’s owner and farm manager, Dane Hemphill, was sentenced at the Wellington District Court yesterday. He was ordered to pay $75,000 to Payne’s family.
He was charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
According to WorkSafe, a victim impact statement read in court said Payne’s mother had since died of a “broken heart”.
WorkSafe’s central regional manager Nigel Formosa said Payne’s death should be treated as a “lightning rod” for the farming sector to improve its quad bike safety.
Formosa “strongly” recommended installing a crash protection device on the back of a quad bike and riders carry out pre-start checks on tyre pressure and brake function before setting off.
“Regular servicing in line with the manufacturer’s recommendation is also a must. This may include oil changes and filter replacements.
“A checklist can be handy to document the frequency of servicing, what was looked at, and any fixes undertaken.”
Formosa said any issues during these checks or services should be addressed “promptly” to avoid potential hazards and future problems.
“We know life is busy for farmers, but there’s no excuse for letting your quad bike maintenance slide – especially when the consequences can be catastrophic,” he said.
He said a mechanic should carry out maintenance.
“If you are too busy to take your quad bikes in for a service, arrange for a mobile mechanic to come out to you.
“The cost is nothing compared to having a preventable death on your conscience.”
