Think of the children these holidays

Experts say managing the risks for children on farms is different from managing them for adults.

Bay farmers are being encouraged to keep children safe on their properties during the school holidays with a heightened risk of accidents on farms.

Nationally, accidents involving children on the farm peak over December and January, and account for more than 22 per cent of injuries to those aged 15 years and under.

Seven children died as a result of an accident on a farm between 2013-2015. In the 12 years up until 2015, nearly 20,000 children were injured on the farm.

WorkSafe's sector leader of agriculture, Al McCone, says children are a vital component of farming family life and it was important this tradition continued.

"We do not want to stop children having fun on the farm or helping out mum and dad with jobs. However, farmers are responsible for ensuring children are not put at risk.

"Farms come with big machines, big animals and big pressures. Children and their parents need to be aware of the risks farms present and work to manage those risks."

Managing the risks for children is different from managing them for adults, says Mr McCone.

"The younger the child, the less risk averse they are, and the more attention needs to be paid by parents or carers.

"Many risks can easily be managed by, for example, using vehicles suitable for passengers, fencing artificial ponds, covering pits, or even creating 'safe kid zones' in dairy sheds, or working together with neighbours as farmers have always done. This means farming parents can still keep their children safe during busy work times."

Parents or carers should lock doors to stop children getting into banned areas and remove keys from vehicles children aren't to drive.

"Even if you have safety guards on machinery, these may still have holes small enough for children to put their hands through."

Many farmers were used to working alone for much of the year, but it was a good idea to think about health and safety when children joined them on the farm, says Mr McCone.

"Over recent years, of the 14 deaths of children under the age of 10, seven involved the child being near the parents working. If you're used to working alone, and get stuck on a job or problem, then it's easy to forget about the kids."

All three deaths involving children aged between 5 and 15 since 2013 involved a child operating a quad bike.

"Kids love playing around vehicles like the quad bike or the tractor so walk around the vehicle first and check children are a safe distance away before starting the engine. A few seconds extra care will prevent what could be a tragedy."

Only those trained and experienced should operate a quad bike: "Quad bike riders under 16 years are 2.5 times more likely to be injured compared with drivers aged 16-34 years old. Although those aged under 16 years old represent just 16per cent of users, they account for between 37and 50per cent of all injuries."

WorkSafe's guide Managing Health and Safety has plenty of useful tips and guidance on keeping children safe on farms. The guide and other resources are available at saferfarms.org.nz.