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A guide to being a safe farming parent
In the six-year period from 1 January 2016 to 21 December 2021 seven Victorian children (all males) died using farm machinery. Three deaths related to the use of quad bikes, one on a rideon- mower, one on a motorbike, one related to being caught under a farm attachment being lowered onto a pallet when it was disconnected from a tractor, and the seventh incident involving a child being run over by a tractor attachment after having made attempts to adjust the attachment whilst the vehicle was moving.
The combined incidents referenced above were cited in a report from the Victorian Coroner, and were the catalyst for a recommendation from the Coroner for WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission, in consultation with the Victorian Farmers Federation and KidSafe Victoria, to consider engaging farming families and/or conducting a public awareness campaign to highlight the risks of allowing children to operate farm machinery and/or to drive vehicles such as tractors, incorporating how to keep children safe on farms.
This guidance is designed to assist farming parents to ensure the safety of all children, but in particular children within the age range 10-15 years old, which is when they are more likely to be helping out on the farm.
READ the Child Safety on Farm Handbook by clicking on the download button below