PARENTS have moved to ban their children from riding ATVs following five deaths last year.

Children under 16 accounted for more than 25 per cent of all 19 ATV fatalities in 2012.

This included the death of a seven-year-old girl on Thistle Island in South Australia last month, as well as two children in both NSW and Queensland earlier in the year.

One farmer, who did not wish to be named, said publicity over child deaths had prompted him to rethink his approach.

"We used to let our kids ride, but they are not allowed to any more," he said.

The farmer said the children had worn helmets, but were previously allowed to ride a full-size ATV.

"The kids aren't happy, but these machines need to be respected and can be dangerous," he said.

WorkSafe Victoria executive director of health and safety Ian Forsyth said allowing children to ride adult-size ATVs in a workplace was a breach of health and safety laws.

It was also mandatory that ATV riders wear helmets.

"These are not recommendations or suggestions," Mr Forsyth said.

"Our position is very clear for good reason - helmets clearly provide a level of protection and children under 16 riding adult-size quad bikes typically do not have the body mass required to adequately control them."

Mr Forsyth said WorkSafe Victoria "welcomed and encouraged" moves by manufacturers to promote crush protection.

The body representing ATV manufacturers, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said parents were doing the right thing by not letting their children ride adult-size ATVS.

FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said this was a safety recommendation they promoted.

"There is product out there (small ATVs) that kids can use and they should not be riding adult models," he said.

"The whole community needs to take ATV safety seriously, and that includes wearing helmets."

Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has called for the use of ATVs in the workplace for under 16s to be banned.