Farming families warned of summer risks to children

E59:09 22 July 2009

Farming families are being encouraged to ensure their workplaces don't become playgrounds for their children during the school holidays.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is also keen to ensure that risks are carefully considered and managed should children be helping out on farms.

Most summers at least one farming child dies, and over the last 10 years 43 children and young people under 18 have received fatal injuries from work-related incidents in agriculture,

Many children have also suffered injuries resulting in amputation or burns, and falls from height or being struck by machinery are among the most common causes of accidents.

Said a spokesperson for HSE:

"We know that farms are homes for many children, but they are also workplaces and cannot be seen as playgrounds.

"Though the summer holidays are upon us - a time for fun and freedom for children, the work on farms carries on in earnest, with some reaching their busiest times as harvest gets underway. The two together can be a fatal mix.

"The advice is simple but it is surprising how often the proper precautions fail to be taken."

HSE has produced a special guidance leaflet to help prevent accidents to children on farms. It includes such as advice as:-

• Provide a securely fenced play area with enough activities to keep children busy;
• Closely supervise the jobs given to young people on the farm
• Give contractors unfamiliar with your workplace clear instructions about stopping work and making the area safe if unauthorised young people and children enter the work area
• Think vehicle safety: Never allow children to be passengers in tractor cabs and quad bikes at work need helmets, maintenance, training and should not be ridden by anybody under 16 years old.

Further guidance on preventing accidents to children on farms is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/as10.pdf

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