Water

Water poses a serious danger to children on the farm. From open water tanks, streams, ponds and lakes, you cannot afford to take any risks. The HSA recommends the following when it comes to water safety. Fence off any potentially dangerous water sources.

Place warning signs to remind people of dangers. Stand clear of the edges of ponds, lakes and rivers as they may give way under pressure. The edge may also be concealed by overgrowth or rushes.

Uncovered man holes and water collection tanks must be made inaccessible to children. Any covers placed over openings should not be easily removed by children.

Slurry

Once the dry weather breaks, slurry will be spread across the country again. It is important to remember that with school finished, children are vulnerable. When agitating slurry, follow the necessary protocol. Clear the area and be aware of the location of children who are likely to be around the farm at all times.

Make sure that you close agitation points after use. Educate the children on the seriousness of slurry. Explain the risk of drowning but also the hidden danger of hydrogen sulphide. Many children may not be aware of this danger or fully appreciate the consequences.

Livestock

Thirteen per cent of deaths on farms in the last 10 years were caused by livestock. Over half of these were caused by heifers or cows. If children are near livestock, make sure you are with them at all times. Never trust a bull –quiet or not. Signs to warn of the presence of a bull or dangerous livestock should be clearly visible.

Keep children away from mothers directly after calving or having lambs. Never allow them to enter a large pen of stock. Children should not be made to stand in gaps when moving stock until they are old enough. Moving young stock, in particular, has a high risk because of their highly strung nature in comparison with older animals. Having the correct handling facilities, such as head locks and calving gates, is important for the safety of the farmer as well as any children.

Machinery

Children should not be allowed to operate machinery until they are at an appropriate age to do so. Driving tractors on the farm is permitted at the age of 14 provided the operator has attended formal training, has close supervision and has the ability to operate the machine with ease.

The minimum requirement for driving tractors in public places is a category W licence.

Public places include public roads, marts and factory yards.

Young children should be kept away from machinery while it is being operated. Tractors must have designated passenger seats to carry a child or adult. Tractors that possess passenger seats should only be occupied by children over seven years of age.

They must receive strict instructions about not touching controls, staying in the cab and keeping their seatbelt on at all times.

All keys should be removed from the ignition and kept out of sight and reach of children.

Ground rules

It is important to set out ground rules about the farm and talk to the children about where they can and cannot go. The farm is an enjoyable place to be as a young person it is important to keep it that way. The IFA, ESB and FBD, in conjunction with Agri Aware, have an educational video entitled “Once Upon a Farm”. It highlights the hidden dangers on a farm and simple ways to make the farm a safer place for kids.