Farm Safety for Children

tractor seeding, young boy milking a calf, children sitting on fence

Farms can be wonderful places to grow up, work, or visit, but children may be at greater risk for agricultural injuries. It is difficult to provide constant supervision on a farm. Children who live on farms may also engage in work that is inappropriate for their age and developmental level. It is important to prioritize the safety of the children to reduce the risk of life-threatening injuries and fatalities.

Common Farm Safety Hazards

While living on and visiting a farm can be a rewarding experience for children, they may also be exposed to serious hazards. Leading causes of injuries to children on farms include incidents involving animals and farm machinery.

Farm injuries to children can be caused by:

  • Tractors, farm vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), and other machinery
  • Running farm equipment and machinery
  • Large animals
  • Falls, slips, and trips
  • Drowning
  • Exposure to environmental extremes (wind, heat, cold, and storms)
  • Exposure to pesticides and cleaning chemicals

Tips to Keep Children Safe on Farms

  • If your child is going to engage in farm tasks, ensure they are properly trained and supervised at all times. The Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines can be used to find age-appropriate tasks for children.
  • Teach your children and visitors on the farm to treat animals with caution as the behavior of farm animals can be unpredictable and dangerous.
  • Children younger than 16 years of age should not operate ATVs, UTVs, or machinery unless they have received formal training and are closely supervised.
  • Ensure that ATV and UTV riders wear appropriate safety equipment, such as a DOT-approved helmet with face protection, long sleeved shirt, long pants, non-skid boots, and gloves.
  • There is a risk associated with having your children as passengers while operating tractors, ATVs, UTVs, and other farm equipment. Ensure they are in seats and not in open wagons.
  • Always turn off farm equipment, lower hydraulics, and remove keys when equipment is not in use.
  • Do not allow children to be in or near equipment storage areas, grain silos, and watering troughs.
  • Keep children away from objects and equipment they can climb including windmills, electrical wires, augers, grain elevators, and feed wagons.
  • Inspect the farm regularly for potential hazards and correct them immediately.

New York State Requirements for Children Working on Farms

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