A planned approach for teachers preparing to visit farms or horticulture units and for farmers hosting visits.

DOWNLOAD THE HEALTH & SAFETY: RISK ASSESSMENT PACK.

Defining risks and hazards

It may be useful to first define hazard and risk.

'Risk' expresses the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard will be realised (for example the risk of slipping on a patch of water).

A 'hazard' is something with a potential to cause harm (the patch of water).

Hazards only present a risk when there is human interaction (someone treading in the patch of water).

Who should plan risk assessment?

Risk surrounds all of us in our everyday lives. Risk management is a skill which has particular relevance to school visits. It is a valuable life skill which should be exercised by

• The visit provider (e.g. farmer or grower)
• The teacher leading the visit
• All other adults involved in the visit
• The pupils
  

How can we assess the risks?

A risk assessment involves identifying the hazards present then evaluating the extent of the risks involved, taking into account any precautions already in place (identifying the patch of water as a potential problem; noting that it will be walked past; a sign saying 'slippery floor' is in place).

RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) has prepared a photocopiable form that can be used by teaching staff, pupils, and staff at farms to assess the risks involved at open farms. As a safety education tool it can be used to ensure awareness of the hazards and discuss any safety measures that are in place, whether these are considered adequate and what possible improvements could be made. This is included in the downloadable pack.

Or, at this point you might like to have a go online. Click here

When should we assess the risks?

1. The farmer or grower should be reviewing hazards on an on-going basis and employing risk assessment techniques.
2. The teacher should, wherever possible, make a pre-visit check on the location's risks. This is best carried out with the visit provider. If the farm/unit is not open to visits on a frequent basis, the provider may not be familiar with hazards that may present themselves to children.
3. It is recommended that all accompanying adults are briefed on health and safety matters before the visit.
4. Pupils can be made aware of risks and how they can manage them. This can make a valuable addition to preparatory work. Children can learn basic risk assessment techniques and can practise identifying hazards in the school, the grounds or using the photos of farm locations.

Children can produce their own posters or guidelines as a pre-visit activity.

What are the risks?

These are many and varied and exist in all areas of life - not just on the farm!

Some of the most common causes of accidents are

• Slipping (wet surfaces in a glasshouse)
• Tripping (hoses lying around)
• Falls from a height (ladders, platforms)
• Contact with moving vehicles (cars and coaches - especially at the drop off point, tractors, fork lift trucks)
• Fire
• Being trapped (collapsing hay bales, grain stores)
• Exposure to cold/wet or to sun/heat
• Exposure to infection

A number of hazards can be specific to farm and horticultural locations

• Failure to safeguard machinery
• Failure to safeguard toxic substances, slurry pits and gases
• Failure to safeguard flammable substances such as oil, fuel, hay and straw
• Frantic farm activity
• Male animals grazing, female animals with young

Managing the risks

All of the above hazards pose risks that can be managed by the teacher and farmer: a safe route can be planned avoiding these hazards. Many of them can be eliminated at the pre-visit stage.

• Plan a safe route avoiding particularly busy areas
• Farmers/growers should block access to hazardous areas, ensure protective equipment is in place and blank off or move ladders.
• Procedures using hazardous substances should not take place during a visit
• Lock away vet's medicines, pesticides etc
• Avoid railings likely to be covered in manure
• Clean walkways prior to a visit, if possible
• Provide handwashing facilities - this is vital. running water and disposable paper towels should be provided
• Organise a designated eating area away from animals and hazardous activities
• Children should be encouraged to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
• Cuts and grazes should be covered with a waterproof dressing.
• Keep children away from mature, grazing male livestock and from female livestock with young
  

What else can be done?

Procedures must be followed according to any visit outside school.

• Teachers can refer to their LEA's guidelines
• Teachers and other accompanying adults need information on
  1. Pupils' medical conditions, allergies and other relevant health-related issues especially related to mobility, hearing or visual impairment
  2. Potential behavioural problems which may affect the safety of individuals or of the group
  3. Arrangements for contacting school or parents in an emergency
• The above matters must be treated in confidence but general issues can be discussed with the visit provider before the visit takes place.
• There should be at least one adult member of the group with first aid training.
• The farmer/grower might be asked where first aid equipment is located or the school can carry a first aid kit and can inform teachers of potential hazards and safety procedures.

DfES recommendations

DfES recommend the following basic safety rules:

Never let pupils

• Place their faces against the animals or put their hands in their own mouths after feeding the animals
• Eat until they have washed their hands
• Sample any animal foodstuffs
• Drink from farm taps (other than in designated public facilities)
• Ride on tractors or other machines
• Play in the farm area

DfES updated their advice in 2002 and issued 3 supplements covering 'Standards for LEAs in Overseeing Educational Visits', 'Standards for Adventure' (aimed at the teacher or youth worker who leads young people on adventure activities) and 'A Handbook for Group Leaders' (aimed at anyone who leads groups of young people on any kind of educational visit. It sets out good practice in supervision, ongoing risk assessment and emergency procedures).

Complete information may be found at www.teachernet.gov.uk/Management/guidance/visits

Health and Safety Executive Advice for Teachers

The HSE publication 'Avoiding ill Health at Open Farms - Advice to teachers' should be compulsory reading.

The version current in January 2002 is included in the downloadable pack and may be viewed online by clicking here (pdf format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader), but we take no responsibility for its continued currency. To ensure that you have up-to-date advice please visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm

Health and Safety Executive Advice for Farmers

You are advised to read the comprehensive guidance contained in the HSE publication 'Avoiding ill health at open farms - Advice to farmers (with teachers' supplement)'
This is included in the downloadable pack and can also be read online by clicking here (pdf format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

If you use a trailer to transport visitors around the unit you should read the HSE guidance 'Carriage of passengers on farm trailers'.
This is included in the downloadable pack and can also be read online by clicking here (pdf format requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

The versions current in January 2002 are included in the downloadable pack and may be viewed online here, but we take no responsibility for their continued currency. To ensure that you have up-to-date advice please visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm

Further Reading

Health & Safety of Pupils On Educational Visits: DfES HSPV2

Quality, Safety and Sustainability NAFSO ISBN: 1 901642 01 1

HSE information on ecoli at
www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/farmsafe/ecoli.htm

HSE publications can be viewed at
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm

Further HSE advice can be viewed at www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/index.htm