Children on Farms

Precautions

  • A safe and secure play area for children should be provided away from all work activities, in full view of the dwelling house
  • Where children are not in a secure play area a high level of adult supervision must be provided
  • Children should not be allowed to access heights
  • Action should be taken to keep children away from dangerous areas
  • To eliminate the risk of drowning all open water tanks, wells and slurry tanks should be fenced off
  • Children should be given clear instruction on safety issues on the farm
  • Instruct children that are carried in the tractor cab to always wear seat belts

Children01

  • Identify and control particular dangers to children (e.g. tractor operation, slurry pits, falls)
  • Keep children away from dangerous areas (slurry pits, silage pits, grain /chemical stores, working machinery, high areas)
  • Children should not be allowed near dangerous animals such as bulls, stallions, rams, stags and female animals with new-born young
  • The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 require farmers to identify what work is suitable for children and what work is not suitable
  • Young children should not be allowed unsupervised access to the farmyard
  • Discuss with visitors and agricultural contractors
  • Make contractors aware of the possible presence of children
  • Organise training for young teenagers - tractor safety driving skills
  • Do not allow children under 14 to operate tractors or self-propelled machines
  • Only allow children over 14 to drive a tractor or self-propelled vehicle in line with legal requirements
  • When children have to be carried in the cab, it must be fitted with a properly designed and fitted passenger seat with seat belts


A child or young person aged 14 or over should only be permitted to drive a tractor or self-propelled machine on the farm, if:

  • they have attended a formal training course run by a competent training provider
  • they are closely supervised by a responsible adult
  • they have the ability to operate the controls with ease
  • all the controls are conveniently accessible for safe operation by the operator when seated in the driver's seat
  • the controls which operate the power take off (PTO) devices, hydraulic devices and engine cut-off are clearly marked to show the effect of their operation
  • the tractor is maintained so that it is safe for them to operate
  • the ground over which the tractor is driven is free from hazards such as steep slopes or excavations, river banks, lake or pond edges, deep ditches and similar areas


Back to top


Farm Safety Video for Post Primary Schools

Fatal Accidents

Deaths of children and young persons on farms 2014-2023 (9% of all fatalities)

null

Children between the ages of 7 and 16 may ride on a tractor provided the tractor is fitted with a properly designed and fitted passenger seat (with seat belts) inside a safety cab or frame.

Under no circumstances should a child under 7 years of age be carried inside the cab of a tractor. (Irrespective of whether a passenger seat is provided or not).

Adults have a huge responsibility to make sure that the risks posed to children on a farm are assessed and controls put in place to prevent death and injury. 


Back to top