Farm safety

Common causes of injuries

What are the most common causes of injuries to children on farms?

• Falls from heights, such as from hay lofts
• Animal-related trauma, such as bites and scratches
• Extra rider fall from machine
• Machinery entanglement

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Common causes of death

What are the most common causes of death to children on farms?

• Machines including tractors, motor vehicles and all terrain vehicles (ATV): A young child who is a bystander can be run over by a machine on a farm. A young child who is riding as a passenger can fall off and be run over. An older child can be involved in an ATV rollover.
• Drowning in ponds, manure pits, wells and cisterns.

Source: Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program (CAISP)

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Recommendations

Recommendations for preventing injuries to children on farms:

• Prohibit access to the farm worksite. Young children should not accompany adults while they are working on the farm. Provide constant adult supervision to your child.
• Install passive physical barriers. Install fences around hayloft, around water hazards and animal enclosures and vehicles compounds.
• Institute safe storage practices. Safely store large worksite objects and tools out of reach of children.
• Indentify child care alternatives.
• Develop guidelines for common recreational activities, including horseback riding and use of an ATV.

Source: Research published in the Injury Prevention Journal*

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All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

*Pickett W, Brison RJ, Berg RL, Zentner J, Linneman J, Marlenga B. Pediatric farm injuries involving non-working children injured by a farm work hazard: five priorities for primary prevention, Injury Prevention; 2005; 11:6-11.