U. S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Directorate of Science, Technology & Medicine

Office of Science and Technology Assessment

SHIB 08-03-2006

Safety and Health Information Bulletin

Preface

Although the majority of all-terrain vehicle

(ATV)-related injuries and deaths occur during

recreational use, ATV use in America’s workplaces is

widespread and increasing, particularly in the

agricultural industry. Injury and fatality statistics for

ATV recreational use may provide some information

about likely trends in the workplace. In September

2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC) published a report indicating that ATVrelated fatalities rose from 29 in 1982 to 470 in 2004,

and injuries rose to an all-time high of 136,100 for

2004, with over 800,000 injuries reported in the last

10 years [4].

Although these statistics were only for

recreational use of ATVs (occupational injury data for

ATVs is not collected, compiled and reported in the

same manner as that for recreational use), employees

who use ATVs while doing their jobs are exposed to

hazards similar to those experienced by recreational

users. Data on occupational injuries provided to the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by employers

includes over 100 occupational fatalities involving

ATVs during the last ten (10) years. (see Table 1) [6]

Fatalities and injuries appear to have occurred at a

steady rate during the last several years. The

Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s

(OSHA’s) investigation data includes 50 workplace

accidents in the last ten (10) years that resulted in a

workplace injury or fatality and involved an ATV. As

ATV use increases in the workplace, employers and

employees can reduce the risk of injury by modifying

work practices, operating ATVs within manufacturer’s

limitations, wearing helmets, and obtaining vehiclespecific training.

This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a

standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal

obligations. The Bulletin is advisory in nature,

informational in content, and is intended to assist

employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires

employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and

health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1),

the General Duty Clause of the Act, employers must

provide their employees with a workplace free from

recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious

physical harm. Employers can be cited for violating the

General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard and

they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate

the hazard. However, failure to implement any

recommendations in this Safety and Heath Information

Bulletin is not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty

Clause. Citations can only be based on standards,

regulations, and the General Duty Clause.

Hazards Associated with All-Terrain Vehicles

(ATVs) in the Workplace

Figure 1: All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). 
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Purpose

The purpose of this Safety and Health

Information Bulletin (SHIB) is to identify:

1. the operating conditions and specific

activities that most often lead to ATVrelated injuries and fatalities;

2. the guidelines and training an employer

can use to help protect employees; and

3. the work practices that employees can

follow to reduce the potential for ATVrelated accidents.

Background

ATVs are used in a wide variety of America’s

workplaces, including law enforcement, agriculture,

construction, oil production, and facilities

management. It is imperative that employers and

employees take the necessary steps to ensure that

ATVs are operated safely to minimize the number and

severity of workplace accidents.

The Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) has investigated a number of

workplace fatalities involving ATVs and is aware that

ATV-related injuries and fatalities continue to occur in

workplaces throughout the United States. In June of

2003, the Bismarck, North Dakota Area Office

investigated an accident where an employee was

fatally injured while driving an ATV uphill on rough

terrain. The employer had fitted the ATV with a

sprayer mounted on the rear cargo rack. The ATV

was being used to apply herbicide to off-road weeds

when the accident occurred. As an employee drove

the ATV uphill on the rough terrain, its front wheels

came off the ground and the ATV flipped over. The

employee tried to prevent the ATV from flipping by

standing and shifting her weight; the employee

eventually tried to jump from the ATV as it flipped

over, but could not jump clear and was fatally

crushed. OSHA’s investigation identified decreased

vehicle stability as the major cause of the accident.

The addition of the sprayer to the ATV’s rear cargo

rack reduced vehicle stability by changing the

distribution of vehicle weight over the wheel base.

The sprayer exceeded the manufacturer’s weight limit

for the rear cargo rack by approximately 55 pounds

(lbs.). OSHA’s investigation also showed that the

decrease in ATV stability was compounded when the

ATV was driven up a hill on rough terrain.

OSHA accident investigation data dating back

to 1990 include 24 occupational fatalities and 26

occupational injuries that involved operating an ATV.

OSHA’s data indicate that seven serious injuries and

fatalities resulted from unbalanced loads and loads in

excess of the ATV’s specified limits; four of these

involved overloading the rear cargo rack. The other

causes of occupational accidents noted during OSHA

investigations included: operating at excessive speeds

for the terrain/operation; operating ATVs on paved

roads; not wearing a protective helmet; insufficient or

no training; and carrying passengers.

This SHIB is intended to address any motorized offhighway vehicle designed to travel on low pressure

tires, having a seat designed to be straddled by the

operator and handlebars for steering control, for use

by a single operator and no passenger, and used to

carry only those amounts of cargo that do not

exceed the manufacturer’s limits for the front and

rear racks.
Description of Hazards

ATV Terrain and Operating Conditions

One reason employers may elect to use ATVs

is that they enable employees to traverse rough

terrain and get to remote locations quickly. However,

it is very important that operators drive at a safe

speed to accommodate the changing terrain (rocks,

logs, ditches, and other obstacles) and to reduce the

risk of overturning or rolling over the ATV.

Traversing a slope also presents a rollover hazard to

ATV operators. Rolling over or overturning an ATV

is one of the leading incidents that result in fatalities

[1, 5]. About 46 percent (23 of 50) of the

occupational injuries and fatalities OSHA investigated

(1990 – 2003) occurred when the ATV overturned.

According to the investigation reports, operators

overturned as a result of excessive speed, unstable

load, rough terrain, and excessive incline.

ATVs are specifically designed for off-road

use and are not intended to be driven on concrete or

paved roads. Injuries and fatalities can occur as a

result of collisions with other vehicles and as a result

of the difficulty of controlling an ATV on pavement

[5].

Load Limitations and ATV Modification

ATVs are engineered for certain operating

conditions and for handling specific loads.

Modifications to an ATV may alter its performance

and increase the potential for an accident. Any

modification to an ATV should be performed only

after obtaining approval from the manufacturer.

Modification includes the use of after-market

products that are sold as accessories. Employers

and drivers should read the operator’s manual to

understand the limitations of ATVs. The cargo (front

and rear racks) and passenger weight limits of an

ATV should not be exceeded because it affects the

ATV’s maneuverability and performance. As stated

earlier, exceeding an ATV’s weight capacity is a

common cause of serious ATV accidents.

ATVs are not typically designed to carry

passengers, and a common mistake made by ATV

operators is to allow a passenger on their ATV. To

effectively steer and control an ATV, the driver often

needs to make quick body weight shifts combined

with acceleration and braking [1]. A passenger can

impair the safe operation and maneuverability of the

ATV and the additional passenger weight may exceed

the manufacturer’s weight limit for the ATV.

Passengers are put at a high risk of injury when riding

on an ATV. The CPSC reported that up to 20

percent of recreational ATV injuries occur to

passengers [3, 5]. OSHA’s data indicate that two

occupational injuries occurred when passengers were

carried on ATVs designed only for the operator. In

one case, a passenger was thrown from the ATV

during a turn. In the other, the passenger was pinned

under the ATV when it overturned. In both cases,

vehicle instability created by the additional rider likely

caused the accident.

ATV Operator Qualifications and Training

Inexperienced drivers face a higher risk of

injury according to the recreational data collected by

CPSC. During the first month of operation, new

recreational ATV drivers have an injury rate 13 times

higher than the overall average injury rate for ATV

operators. Further, the CPSC’s data indicate that

almost half the injured drivers had less than one year

of experience and one-fourth of the injured drivers

had less than one month of experience [5]. The often

severe terrain and operating conditions, along with

the unique handling of ATVs, necessitate proper

training, practice, and experience.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment is strongly

recommended when operating ATVs. The potential

rollover hazards require the use of a DOT-approved

helmet. According to a study of recreational ATVrelated deaths in West Virginia, 65 percent of the

deaths resulted from head and neck injuries. Of these

fatalities, three-quarters of the ATV users were not

wearing a helmet at the time of the incident [1].

CSPC indicates that 25 percent of those who died

from head injuries sustained in recreational ATV

accidents would have lived if they had been wearing a

proper helmet [5]. In addition to helmets,

appropriate boots, gloves, and goggles should also be

worn.

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ATV Maintenance

Like any piece of workplace machinery, ATVs

must have regular maintenance. Poor ATV maintenance contributes to serious accidents and fatalities

[2]. Along with a regular maintenance schedule,

employers and drivers need to ensure the completion

of a pre-ride inspection. Tire condition, braking,

steering, and suspension systems are all critical to

safe operation.

Other Considerations

ATV manufacturers sometimes issue product

recalls to replace, modify, or repair faulty products.

Employers should be aware of how recall notifications are made and where to obtain pertinent

information. The CPSC maintains copies of ATV

recalls, which may be accessed on the CPSC’s

website at http://www.cpsc.gov. When a recall is

issued by a manufacturer, employers should follow

the instructions or guidance in the notice to ensure

that their ATVs are maintained in proper operating

condition.

Three-wheel ATVs have not been manufactured since 1988, but older three-wheel ATVs are

still in use. While the stability of ATVs as a whole is

low, the stability of three-wheel ATVs is generally

worse than for four-wheel ATVs. Cornering and

traversing slopes on three- wheel vehicles can be

particularly dangerous.

Most states have enacted laws regarding ATV

use. Many states have passed laws prohibiting ATV

operation on public roads in most instances, and

some have age and registration requirements for ATV

operators. Furthermore, many states require operators to wear a protective helmet while operating an

ATV. Employers should contact their state Department of Motor Vehicles, Public Safety, or Natural

Resources to determine the specific requirements and

obligations for their state.

Some manufacturers now build certain ATVs

with rollover protection systems. Depending on the

terrain and usage of the ATV, employers should consider an ATV with rollover protection.

Recommendations

The following guidelines will help reduce the risk of

injury to employee operators of ATVs:

• Provide instruction and hands-on

training on safe handling and operation of

ATVs to employees. Ensure that

employees are competent in operating their

specific ATV under the variety of

conditions in which they will be driving.

• The major ATV manufacturers and

distributors provide free hands-on training

to purchasers of new ATVs and can

provide additional training at a reasonable

fee. The ATV Safety Institute (http://

www.svia.org) offers ATV classes that may

be of assistance.

• Ensure that all likely ATV drivers have

reviewed and understand the operator’s

manual.

• Ensure that all manufacturer’s warnings are

followed and that drivers review and

understand them.

Figure 1: Rider with proper helmet. 

4
• Do not permit ATV drivers to carry

passengers.

• Ensure that drivers wear proper helmets

and boots. Where conditions require,

ensure the use of goggles, gloves, and

other safety clothing.

• Establish policies stating where ATV use is

prohibited, such as on paved or public

roads and in areas with high vehicular or

heavy equipment traffic.

• Ensure that employees drive at appropriate

speeds to allow for avoidance of potential

hazards and the speed is appropriate for

the type of terrain (e.g., mud, snow,

ditches, gravel, etc.).

• Ensure that employees and all contractors

using ATVs on your worksite are aware of

any site-specific hazards, such as

excavations, trenches, and areas where

ATV use is prohibited.

• Establish a maintenance program for all

ATVs that meets the manufacturer’s

recommendations to ensure proper ATV

performance.

• Ensure that employees only haul items on

the ATV in accordance with the

manufacturer’s specifications and never

exceed the weight limit. Ensure loads are

evenly distributed.

• Do not allow modification of ATVs

without approval from the manufacturer.

• Monitor manufacturer’s recalls and ensure

prompt action when a recall is issued for

your ATV(s).

• Training should include reviewing and

becoming familiar with the operator’s

manual, and hands-on operation.

• Ensure that a pre-ride inspection of the

ATV is performed.

o Check the tire condition and

pressure.

o Ensure that the throttle, brakes, and

other controls are working

properly.

o Ensure that headlight(s) and

taillight(s) are working properly.

o Test the steering before starting,

initially at low speeds.

o Test the suspension system

• Ensure that ATV drivers report any

damage or mechanical failures so that

repairs can be made.

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Links/Citations to the websites listed above are offered for the reader’s convenience. Since OSHA does not

control the information contained in these websites, OSHA cannot assure the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or

completeness of all of this information. Moreover, providing links/citations to such websites does not constitute

an endorsement of the websites, or their content, nor does it suggest that these websites are the exclusive or

most useful sources of relevant information.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC). All-Terrain Vehicle-Related Deaths —

West Virginia, 1985–1997. Morbidity and Mortality

Weekly Report (MMWR). Volume 48, No. 1.

January 15, 1999. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/

wk/mm4801.pdf

2. New Zealand Occupational Safety and Health

Service. Safe Use of ATVs on New Zealand Farms

– Agricultural Guideline. November 2002. http://

www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/pdf/atvguide2.pdf

3. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC). All-Terrain Vehicle 2001 Injury and

Exposure Studies. January 2003. http://

www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA03/os/

atvex2001.pdf

4. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC). Annual Report: All-Terrain Vehicle

(ATV)-Related Deaths and Injuries. Washington,

D.C. September 28, 2005.

5. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

(CPSC). CPSC Urges Caution for Three- and

Four-Wheeled All-Terrain Vehicles. CPSC

Document #540. March 2004. http://www.cpsc.gov/

cpscpub/pubs/540.html

6. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of

Labor Statistics. BLS Statistics on Worker Safety

and Health.

http://www.bls.gov/bls/safety.htm

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References