Farm safety - children

Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers. In fact, the under-15 age group is one of the most represented in work related farm accidents in Victoria. They account for one in seven farm fatalities. The main risk factors are inexperience with equipment and trying to perform a task that is beyond their abilities. Young children in particular need a safe play area of their own, so consider fencing part of the yard close to the house for your child’s exclusive use. Older children can be taught farm safety, but still need to be supervised at all times. Most importantly, children learn by imitation. If you practice farm safety, then so will your child.

Risk assessment
It is recommended that you walk through your farm and assess each and every area according to the age and ability of your child. Try to see things from your child’s point of view. What may seem like a dull work space to you might seem to your child like an ideal spot for play. Find ways to child-proof these potentially hazardous areas, using fences and locks.

General safety suggestions
It is impossible to make your farm completely safe, but you can reduce the risks. General safety suggestions include:

• Create a safe play area close to the house, using fences to contain your child.
• Fence off all water sources such as dams, ponds, septic tanks, sheep dips, pools and creeks.
• Make sure that hazardous areas are locked and inaccessible.
• Store chemicals, guns, electrical equipment and other dangerous materials out of reach of children.
• Don’t let your child ride on farm machinery, such as tractors.
• Ensure your child doesn’t have access to any ladders.
• Keep children away from livestock and other animals.

• Teach safety rules that apply to the different areas of the farm.
• Make sure your child understands that certain areas are out-of-bounds, such as silos, grain loading areas, farm machinery and animal pens.
• Be consistent and discipline your child if they break the rules.
• Reinforce discipline by explaining the hazards and consequences of ignoring safety rules.

• Don’t let your child, or any other person, ride on farm machinery that isn’t designed for passengers.
• Always use safety equipment, such as goggles and gloves, where necessary.
• Walk around operating machinery instead of stepping over it.
• Fit roll-over cages to your tractor.
• Switch off equipment before altering the settings.
• Refer to warning labels and follow directions.
• Let others know where you are going, what you’ll be doing and when you expect to return.
• Talk to your child frequently about the safety rules of the farm.

• Ensure easy access to a suitable first aid kit
• Make sure at least one person on the farm is trained in first aid
• Keep emergency numbers next to the telephone
• Plan routes to the nearest hospital
• Regularly talk through your emergency plan with your family
• Make sure your children understand what to do.

• Your doctor
• Victorian WorkCover Authority Tel. (03) 9641 1555
• Victorian Farm Safety Alliance Tel (03) 9207 5513
• Victorian Farm Safety Training Centre Tel. (03) 5334 3510
• In an emergency, always call 000 for an ambulance.

• Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers.
• Devise ways to child-proof all potentially hazardous areas.
• Talk to your child frequently about the safety rules of the farm.

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