Wear the best protective gear possible whenever you use the ATV. You are setting an important example for everyone who sees you, especially the members of your own family. When using the ATV in a workplace, the operator must wear:
- the right headgear and eye protection
- suitable clothing for the environment
- gloves, long pants and long sleeves
It’s important to remember that even though the moving parts of the ATV are covered, a loose bootlace or piece of clothing can be entangled and cause a severe injury. This type of entanglement injury is similar to the PTO (power take-off) entanglement that most farmers have heard of. A loose bootlace that gets drawn into a spinning ATV axle or belt can pull your leg with enough force to break it. Loose clothing can also get caught in passing brush, and drag you from the moving ATV.
The Helmet
The correct type of helmet can make a difference between life or death - or between a concussion or a permanent brain injury. It is also one of the legal requirements of ATV use. The helmet must be certified for ATV use. It must be the right kind – not a bicycle helmet, not a hockey helmet, not an industrial hard hat. An ATV helmet will stay on your head through anything. It has a chin strap and visor or goggles. It will protect your face and eyes from loose gravel, dust, bugs, and branches.
It should have a certification sticker from one of the following agencies:
- Snell Memorial Foundation, for motorcycle use
- Canadian Standards Association (CAN3-D230-M85), for motor vehicle applications
- British Safety Institution (BS5361), for vehicle users
- US DOT (571.218), for motorcycle helmets
The helmet should be in good condition, with no cracks or gouges in the plastic. The inner foam padding should be in good shape, and the chinstrap must work. The visor or goggles should be clear and not scratched or clouded. If the ATV operator is a child or young person, the helmet must be carefully fitted for the smaller head size.
If the helmet goes through an accident or is somehow damaged:
- Thank it for its service, and get rid of it.
- Don’t use it again. It cannot protect you any more. Get a new one.
Clothing
Suitable clothing will protect you from many minor injuries on an ATV. Suitable clothing can also make safe operation easier. Leather gloves will protect your hands, as well as keeping them warm and dry. Many of the ATV controls are handled with your thumb and fingers, so having cold, stiff hands will make it harder to drive safely.
Boots
Your feet are an important part of how you control the ATV – by shifting your body when turning, half-standing over bumps, and so on. The soles of your boots should be non-slippery, because you brace your weight on the ATV footplates. Your feet and lower legs may be hit by gravel or branches as you drive, so high sturdy boots will protect you.
