GUIDANCE FOR FARM VISITS

Much of this document is taken from ‘Off-site activities and educational visits – regulations and guidance’ (HCC)

When planning a farm visit, the group leader should:

Acquire a copy of the Health and Safety Executive’s information sheet Avoiding ill health at open farms: Agricultural sheet no 23 (HSE), telephone 01787 881165
Relate the visit to his/her current scheme of work and prepare the children or young people thoroughly so they know what to expect and what they will be experiencing and doing, including reference to footwear and clothing appropriate to the season/weather
Make a preparatory visit to discuss the plan with the farmer. Check on available facilities such as toilets, shelter and hand-washing, and satisfy yourself that control measures recommended in the HSE information sheet are in place
Ensure that the farmer is fully aware of the level of the young people’s knowledge and awareness of the countryside and of agriculture
Prepare follow-up work to obtain maximum benefit from the visit

When visiting an open farm where children or young people may be actively involved, be consistent in enforcing certain requirements. Remember, the children or young people are always your responsibility.

Do not use or pick up tools (e.g. spades, forks etc) unless permitted to do so by the farm staff.
Do not climb on walls or animal pens etc.
Listen carefully and follow instructions and information given by farm staff.
Approach and handle animals quietly and gently.
Do not chase, frighten or torment the animals

Farms are exciting but potentially dangerous places with specific hazards – slurry and grain pits, machinery, bulls, dogs, steep muddy slopes, rutted tracks, chemical stores, straw or hay stacks, barbed wire, electric fences, sows with litters, boars, rams, even large cows. The group leader responsible for the visit must:

· Risk assess the situation and make everyone aware of the control measures required

· Have informed the children or young people of the need for responsible behaviour and of specific hazards (for instance, if a tractor or mobile machinery approaches, keep to the side of the track / road and face oncoming vehicles, quietness around animals)

· Young people under 16 are not allowed in pens with sows or cows and their young.

Hygiene on farms

You must remember that all farms will have a degree of bacterial contamination that can harm children and young people. All animals naturally carry a range of microorganisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans (zoonoses). Some infections that may be contracted on farms, such as E-coil 0157, present a serious hazard and potentially cause severe disease. The risk to young children under the age of six years is particularly great if they should contract the disease.

While the hazard from infection resulting from a farm visit is real, the risks are readily controlled by familiar measures that should be an everyday part of life. The following sensible steps will help make your visit even more safe, healthy and enjoyable:

Ensure that you have sufficient numbers of competent leaders
Prior to the visit, discuss with the children or young people the rules and control measures for the visit. Stress that they must not chew outside the areas in which you permit them to do so
Make sure that children and young people wear appropriate clothing. Wherever possible ensure that there is sturdy footwear
Check that cuts, grazes etc on children / young people’s hands are covered by a waterproof dressing.

During and after the visit, ensure that children and young people:

Do not kiss animals
Always wash their hands thoroughly before eating, after any contact with animals, and again before leaving the farm
Eat only in designated areas
Do not eat food that has fallen to the ground
Do not suck fingers or put hands, pens, pencils or crayons etc in their mouths
Do not taste animal food
Clean or change their footwear before leaving the farm, remembering to wash their hands after any contact with animal faeces on their footwear.

Do remember: If a member of your group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, advise them or their parents to visit the doctor and explain that they have had recent contact with animals.

Female leaders must be made aware of the connection between a disease found in sheep and premature abortion in humans.

See HSE information sheet no.23 Avoiding ill health at open farms – Advice to farmers (with teachers’ supplement)

Transport on farms

If trailer rides are offered the trailer needs to have fixed sides that are higher than the seating arrangements. There should be no risk of children or young people being able to fall over the side. Leaders should exercise their own judgement. No child may travel in a tractor cab. It is illegal for any child under 13 years to travel in the cab. A competent person should be available to supervise passengers.

See HSE information sheet no.36 Carriage of passengers on farm trailers

The National Farmers Union has regulations that are issued to farmers who cater for school visits (Health and Safety Advise for Open Farms). The visiting group leader needs to ensure that the farmer has this information.

Useful references

Off-site activities and educational visits – regulations and guidance Hampshire County Council

Health and Safety Advise for Open Farms NFU Guidelines for farmers

The DfES Health and Safety of Pupils on Educational Visits (1988) and its supplementary Part 3 (2002) handbook

HSE information sheet no.23 Avoiding ill health at open farms – Advice to farmers (with teachers’ supplement)

HSE information sheet no.36 Carriage of passengers on farm trailers

Health and Safety Executive leaflets can be obtained from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165