By Jacob Klaudt, K-State Research and Extension news service
When thinking about farm safety for kids, Tawnie Larson, a project consultant for the Kansas Agriculture Safety and Health program at Kansas State University, splits children into two categories: working and non-working.
Parents train, supervise and provide proper protective equipment to ensure their working children’s safety, and likewise, need to take precautions for the well-being of their younger, non-working kids.
“Higher injury and fatality rates related to large farm equipment are seen in that demographic (younger, non-working kids),” Larson said. “If there are no physical barriers around machinery or proper communication about hazards in the area, (adults) must take special care to keep them safe and away from harm.”
During farming season, parents and older children may all be needed in the field, yet Larson said there is still a need for supervision of the younger, non-working children.
“Sometimes, parents have no choice and they take their children harvesting in a combine, for example,” she said. “In that environment, there is dust and debris in the air, a constant loud noise and the vibration of the machine, which may be harmful to infants and other small children. Producers should provide ear, eye and respiratory protection for everyone in the field, especially our little ones.”
She adds: “Parents should especially be concerned with the vibration because we don’t know what that does to their brains and their bodies while they’re in a cab for hours at a time. We know it’s hard to find childcare, but there should be an alternative that isn’t in a piece of working farm equipment. “
Larson’s recommended approaches for the safety of non-working children:
1. Create safe play and recreation areas far from hazards like equipment sheds, water sources, chemicals and livestock.
2. Provide children with blaze orange/yellow safety equipment and clothing to increase their visibility.
3. Outline unsafe areas for non-working visitors to the farm when they arrive.
4. Wait until children are six years or older to engage in farm tasks.
5. Keep non-working children out of tractor cabs and other large equipment.
6. Find childcare off the farm – older siblings, grandparents or trusted members of the community – when potentially dangerous activities are happening.
