WorkSafe Tasmania

WorkSafe Tasmania

Safe and well every day

Safe use of side-by-side or multi-utility vehicles

This image shows a small red truck, side on. There is a tray back. The driver’s cabin has no doors, seats for two people, and a steering wheel. It is a four-wheeled vehicle but in this view only two are seen.

Example of a side-by-side vehicle

A recent incident involved the rollover of a side-by-side vehicle (SSV; also known as a multi-utility vehicle/MUV). The worker was using the SSV to move livestock. He suffered serious leg and arm injuries.

Contributing factors

  • The operator was using the vehicle without proper instruction and training.
  • The operator had not reviewed the owner’s manual and all warning and instruction labels.
  • The cab nets or doors were not in place.

Action required

If you are a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) and you have SSVs/MUVs in your workplace, you must ensure that:

  • all operators review and understand the owner’s manual and warning and instruction labels
  • cab nets or doors are in place on the vehicle at all times
  • the vehicle is operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions
  • operators wear seatbelts at all times
  • passengers are not carried unless the operator has more than 2 hours of driving experience unless being trained in the operation of the vehicle
  • all operators are provided with adequate instruction and training that is relevant to the hazards and risk associated with using the vehicle. This should be:
    • provided by a registered training organisation (RTO), and an example of this training would be ‘Operate side-by-side utility vehicles’ AHCMOM211A (see below), or
    • a comprehensive on-the-job training program that includes assessing the operator’s competency.

Training

To find an RTO providing the training course ‘Operate side-by-side utility vehicles’ AHCMOM211A, go to my.skills.gov.au.


First published in November 2015

Last updated: 13 September 2023
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