Safety on the Farm Kilmovee NS June 2020
Children are naturally curious and a farm is a very tempting place for them. But every farm is a workplace and is NOT a playground.
Please read the following ‘Safety on the farm for children’ carefully and make sure your child/children (and any adults!) understand them. Even if you don’t live on a farm, children may have grandparents or school friends who may be engaged in farming. Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland. It is the only high risk industry that must deal with the presence of children.
Tractors and Machinery: Children under the age of 14 years should not be allowed to drive or operate tractors or self-propelled machinery/equipment. Children over the age of 7 may ride on a tractor provided that the tractor is fitted with a properly designed and fitted passenger seat with a seat belt inside a safety cab or frame. Unattended tractors should be locked, keys removed and their implements lowered to the ground.
Water safety: Children should be supervised at all times. Slurry pits and tanks should be secured to prevent entry by children. Wells, ponds, drains, soak pits and water tanks should be secured to prevent drowning.
Farm animals: Fit correct fencing and gates where potentially dangerous animals are kept. Supervise children when they are feeding animals or standing close to animals. Children are at risk from all farm animals – in particular bulls, rams, boars, cows and horses. All bulls are potential killers. A bull is a powerful animal and can be extremely dangerous. However COWS protecting their young calves cause more accidents that bulls.
Personal hygiene: Animals may transmit disease to humans so children should wash hands after they are in contact with animals (especially sick animals) or their housing and feedstuffs.
Harmful Substances: All pesticides (Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides), cleaning fluids and veterinary medicines must be stored in a securely locked store.
Dangers during busy periods: Keep children away from moving machines in busy work areas especially during Silage making/pit filling, Slurry spreading and grain harvesting.
Preventing falls on the farm: Children like to climb…… Make sure there is no access to high areas. Don’t let children play on bales – they can fall off them or between them and suffocate. Store ladders on the ground or on wall brackets so that they can’t be climbed. Secure gates and doors (especially in high winds).
Remember: If you live on a farm, you must….. Keep children out of work areas. Have a fenced off safe play area in view of the home. Have fencing with mesh right down to the ground, so that children cannot slip through gates and fences or climb over them.
Helpful videos and websites: https://www.agrihttps:// Story book: Jessy on the Farm. Farm.www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Agriculture_and_Forestry/Stay_Safe_on_the_Farm_with_Jessy.pdfaware.ie/farmsafety.html
www.agrikids.ie Games: Spot the dangers, Follow the signs, Help the Farmer dress for a safe day’s work on the farm. Tablet games: Download the agrikids App and take a trip to Riverside Farm and share in the adventures of Tom, Sarah and their magical friend, Mr. Brambles, the hedge sprite. Games include: Dodge the dangers, Blackberry picking and Stop the Bales. There are also puzzles and articles on Farm Safety.
View videos on Teagasc website: https://www.teagasc.ie/rural-economy/farm-management/farm-health–safety/child-safety-videos/
Thank you for taking the time to read through the above ‘Safety on the Farm’ guidelines. The list is not exhaustive. The most important rule is to supervise children on the farm at all times and to talk to them about the safety regulations on a regular basis.
Growing up on a farm affords children wonderful opportunities for fun, play and learning. Helping out with jobs fosters a sense of responsibility and develops a strong work ethic. Observing the birth and death of animals gives an understanding of the ‘Circle of Life’. Children have an appreciation and love of the land and an insight into where food comes from. We want children to enjoy the farm setting as much as possible while keeping safe, so let’s follow the rules and have fun!
Mrs Warde.