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NFU in campaign to keep children safe on our farms




The NFU and Farm Safety Partnership recently launched their campaign to keep children safe on our farms, writes Andrea Thorpe, group secretary of South Holland branch of the NFU.

The campaign for 2019 aims to work towards achieving its target of halving farm fatalities by the end of 2023.

With the school summer holidays and children spending time outdoors and on the farm, it is crucial that potential hazards are identified and all ways to ensure they keep safe are followed. This applies to any member of the public who may pass through or near farms.

South Holland branch NFU group secretary Andrea Thorpe
South Holland branch NFU group secretary Andrea Thorpe

If children are to enter the workplace, it is crucial that they are supervised by an adult who is not distracted by the work that they are doing.

It is important to remember that children under the age of 13 are prohibited from driving or riding on any agricultural machinery. We must remember that farms are first and foremost a working environment.

Any children that are on farm need to be able to play in an area that is away from the workplace. Should they have to enter a work area, ensure that they are supervised adequately at all times.

Children and farm machines should never mix
Children and farm machines should never mix

When I meet clients Health and Safety is something that I talk about and urge farmers and managers to review the safety policies and procedures that they have in place to drive down the risks on the farm. By making safety a part of everyday conversation we can achieve a change culture and attitudes towards Health and Safety.

For more information on keeping children safe visit NFUonline.com/farmsafetyhub



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