Safe Work and Play for children on Farms

Safe Work and Play for children on Farms

Publication Date: August 14, 2005

Written By: Treena Abdellatif and Saskatchewan Labour, Farm Safety Division

http://www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca/print/your_health/health_matters/safe_farm_play_printable_08_14_05.htm

Every year, numerous Saskatchewan children are injured or killed in farm accidents that, in most cases, could have been prevented. Agriculture is one of our largest industries, and unfortunately, also one that experiences the most serious injuries.

Increased awareness of the dangers that children may face on the farm, and knowing how to avoid those dangers, can help prevent these accidents and their tragic results. The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT), developed by experts across North America, can help prevent farm-related child injuries by providing parents with information about when children can most appropriately take on farm tasks. The guidelines provide practical safety standards for 62 different jobs that farm children from 7 to 16 years of age typically perform.

For example, one of the posters titled “Working with Large Animals”:
details a number of specific responsibilities of adults to ensure child safety (e.g., ensure ventilation system is working before child enters a closed building)
outlines the main hazards faced by children in this task
outlines the training required for children to perform the job safely (e.g., adult demonstrated safe behaviour around animals)
asks questions about the child’s ability/maturity in the context of the task (e.g., can the child react quickly)

Children up to 7 years of age, who are not involved in farm tasks, require safe play areas. Farm children need the same level of non-hazardous, interesting play areas as urban children, even though their play area is in a work environment.

The best defence against on-farm injuries and childhood deaths is to have childcare away from the work site. Pre-schoolers have a short attention span, are curious by nature, and often cannot memorize rules.

When planning a safe play area, consider the following:
select a location away from roadways and heavy equipment
find a space that is interesting to the child, with enough room to run and explore
buy play equipment that is safe and age-appropriate
choose an area that can be easily supervised by an adult
fence the area to provide the most protection


For more information on NAGCAT, call 1-877-419-3510 or visit Saskatchewan Labour’s website at www.labour.gov.sk.ca .

This article was co-authored by Saskatchewan Labour, Farm Safety Division and Saskatoon Health Region.


http://www.saskatoonhealthregion.ca/print/your_health/health_matters/safe_farm_play_printable_08_14_05.htm