Children are an important part of running a family farming business, but we must remember that farms are working businesses, and like any work environment our work life and our home life must be kept separate.
Farming businesses are not playgrounds, and children must have somewhere safe and secure to play that is away from working areas. If they do ever need to enter the working environment, then full supervision must be provided at all times. These boundaries are particularly important during the summer months when the business is active and children are at home during the school holidays.
Children can operate some agricultural machines over the age of 13, but please do not be fooled into thinking that just because they are 13, they can complete working activities – they are still children!
The law states that:
- There is a legal responsibility to assess all risks to the health and safety of children on farms and protect them from harm at all times.
- By law, any work must be light work and must not be inherently dangerous – this is the rule for children helping out on the family farm and for children employed and paid for their work.
- Children employed on farm must have a permit from the local authority. If a child is working without a licence, their employer is breaking the law and will not be insured against any damage or injuries caused or incurred by the child. They also risk legal action being taken against them.
All children have different capabilities, and this means that what a child is allowed to do and not allowed to do must be assessed on an individual basis. The law says that children should not be allowed to perform work beyond their capabilities.
Guidance on what children between the ages of 13 – 16 years may be able to complete can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg472.pdf
We all have a duty of care to protect children who are vulnerable because of their age and abilities. Every employer is legally required by law to manage any risk.
All employees are to be made aware when a child is out on the farm. If for some reason a child is out on the farm on their own, all work is to STOP and the child is to be taken to a safe location and placed in the care of a responsible adult.
Key tips for keeping children safe
- Stop and think before letting children into the workplace as they are very dangerous places to be.
- Adult supervision is a must, children must always be supervised.
- Children under 13 are prohibited from driving or riding in any agricultural machinery.
- Children must wear hi-visibility clothing when out on the farm.
- All employees and visitors must be made aware that there are children on the farm
A child is killed every year during agricultural work activities
We all need to keep on top of the changes that are being made in agriculture; the bigger machinery, more power, busier working patterns, stress, demands and time pressure. We know children are curious and they love to learn, but by allowing them into the workplace we can place them in danger.
As we are in the midst of the school holidays, we need to focus on keeping children safe on farms. Dangers should be highlighted to them and other farmers to help better manage the risk.
For further advice on farm safety, please contact our Health and Safety team on 01981 590514.
