Agricultural Safety

Fact Sheet

All-Terrain Vehicle Hazards

during Farm Work 

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are used in agricultural operations to help farmworkers gather 

livestock, pull trailers and haul small loads, or carry pesticide applicators. ATVs have caused 

many farm fatalities and injuries. This fact sheet provides practical safety measures that 

employers and supervisors can take to protect vehicle operators from harmful incidents. 

Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace for farmworkers. 

ATVs Can Be Dangerous

ATV injuries and fatalities on farms and ranches are 

widespread and increasing. NIOSH identified 2,090 ATV 

injuries and 321 ATV fatalities between 2003 and 2011, with three 

out of five of the occupational deaths occurring in agriculture. 

The majority of these ATV incidents result from:

• Loss of control of the vehicle

• ATV rollovers

• Operators being thrown from the vehicle

• ATVs colliding with a tree or other obstacles

• Operators not wearing a helmet or other protective equipment 

• Inexperienced operators

Employers need to provide ATVs that have the following 

features: Motorcycle-type handle bars for steering control; 

large, low- pressure tires; single worker design; and a seat 

that can be straddled by the worker. ATV Safety Checks

Employers should train operators to perform pre- and 

post-ride safety checks to ensure that the ATV is operating properly. Pre- and post-ride checks should include 

inspecting:

• Tires and wheels

• Controls and cables

• Lights and electrical systems

• Oil and fuel

• Chain and/or driveshaft

2,090

2003 – 2011

ATV

321

3 out of 5 ATV fatalities occurred

in agriculture.

accidents

injuries

from

resulted in

fatalities

U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742) Photo: CropCare, div of PBZ LLC
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Training

Employers should train operators on how to operate 

an ATV safely. The best way to learn to operate an 

ATV safely is through training and practice. 

Employers should:

• Provide training on the ATV owner’s manual to each operator.

• Never allow untrained workers to drive an ATV.

• Never allow workers to operate an ATV when tired or impaired.

• Ensure that guards are in place to prevent accidental 

contact with hot or moving ATV parts. 

Employers should train operators to:

• Place the gear in neutral or park, with the parking brake 

locked before starting the vehicle.

• Never operate an ATV at excessive speeds.

• Maintain a speed that is proper for the terrain, visibility 

conditions, and the operator’s experience level. 

• Stay alert near marked and unmarked terrain hazards, such as 

holes, stumps, ruts, culverts, wires, fences, and large rocks. 

• Operate ATVs in accord with the owner’s manual and not 

attempt wheelies, jumps or hazardous stunts. 

• Be aware when approaching hills, turns, and other obstacles. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employers should provide operators with PPE 

awareness training prior to allowing an operator 

to handle an ATV. Even though the moving parts of 

an ATV are covered, entanglement with moving parts or accidental 

contact with objects can cause severe injuries.

Employers should:

• Provide head and face protection and protective clothing.

• Ensure that ATV operators always wear proper protective gear 

or equipment. PPE can reduce the severity of ATV-related 

incidents.

Employers should train operators to:

• Secure loose bootlaces that can become entangled in a 

spinning ATV axle.

• Never wear loose clothing that could get caught in passing 

brush, pulling the operator off the seat.

• Wear helmets/head protection; bicycle helmets do not provide 

sufficient face and head protection and absorb little energy. 

• Wear protective clothing, including gloves, non-skid shoes, 

goggles, or face shields, long pants and long sleeves.

Load and Weight Considerations 

Employers should provide operators with information 

about the ATV’s load and weight limitations. The 

total weight of the ATV should not go above the 

manufacturer’s limits—this includes the weights of 

the ATV, the load and the operator. Multiple riders on 

a single-rider ATV and the improper installation of equipment can 

have an impact on an ATV’s maneuverability.

Employers should train operators to:

• Check tires to ensure that they are fully inflated. 

• Never allow multiple riders (unless the ATV is specifically 

designed for more than one rider).

• Provide attachments and equipment that are appropriate 

and approved by the manufacturer.

• Keep the ATV well-balanced so that it does not pull to one side.

• Secure tools firmly to the ATV’s cargo rack.

• Understand the ATV’s trailer loading and pulling procedures. 

Crossing Roads and Highways

Serious injuries or fatalities can occur when ATV 

operators are riding on or crossing roads. Employers 

who require operators to cross roads and highways 

should provide training on how to do so safely. Employers should 

check their state or local laws before allowing ATVs to operate on 

roads or highways. 

Employers should train operators to:

• Stop on the shoulder before crossing. The leader should 

dismount and watch for traffic as he waves the group 

across the road.

• Yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and always look 

both ways.

• Cross roads at a 90 degree angle where there are fewer 

obstructions and the visibility is good.

• Ride cautiously on roadways; ATVs handle differently on 

pavement.

Working Alone

Farms are worksites that can be spread out over several 

acres, where workers could be working alone for long 

periods of time. Working alone includes all tasks where 

operators do not have direct contact with the employer or 

co-workers. This could include herding or tending to animals, 

maintaining fences or buildings, or tasks in fields. Employers 

should have check-in procedures in place for these operators. 
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any 

new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to 

Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

Employers should know the operators: 

• Destination.

• Estimated time of departure and return.

• Contact information.

• Mode of communication (cell phone, hand-held radio, etc.)

• Alternate plans in the event of bad weather, traffic 

problems,etc.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk 

of serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a language and 

vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace 

U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

For questions or to get information or advice, to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, 

or loss of an eye, to file a confidential complaint, or to request OSHA’s free on-site consultation service, contact your 

nearest OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov, or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. 

For more information on ATV safety and other issues affecting farmworkers, visit OSHA’s Safety and 

Health Topics Agricultural Operations website at www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/agriculturaloperations.

hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if 

they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer 

is not following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities 

confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, 

including reporting an injury or raising health and safety 

concerns with their employer or OSHA. If a worker has 

been retaliated against for using their rights, they must file 

a complaint with OSHA as soon as possible, but no later 

than 30 days.

For more information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

DSG FS-3758 07/2015