The simple steps to protect children on farms this summer

Farmers are being reminded to prioritise child safety in the coming months as many kids will likely take on more farm roles this summer.

According to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), farms can offer valuable life experiences for children, but can also carry significant risks.

Bryan Monson, who is the deputy chief executive of HSENI, noted that while farming can teach responsibility and work ethic from an early age, safety must “always be the number one priority.”

Hailing from a farming background, Monson said: “Farms are wonderful places for children to grow up, and for many, the farm is part playground, part classroom and part workplace.

“But there are also hidden dangers that can have life‑changing consequences in seconds.”

HSENI’s deputy chief executive stressed that close supervision is simply the most effective way to prevent accidents involving children on farms.

Reflecting on his own childhood, Monson recalled: “What kept me safe was the constant supervisions of my grandparents.

“They always kept a close eye on me, knew where I was, what I was doing and who I was with.

“And they didn’t hesitate to step in if I was straying from what I’d been told or didn’t realise my own limits; looking back, I realise that their vigilance protected me from hazards I was too young to understand,” he added.

Dangers

Monson outlined that children often do not fully understand the dangers posed by machinery, livestock or slurry, highlighting the importance of adult oversight on farms.

HSENI encouraged families to also focus on practical measures that can significantly reduce risks.

“The safest farms are not the ones where children are kept away from farming altogether – they’re the ones where risks are spotted early, boundaries are clear, and children are taught safely, step by step,” Monson commented.

The key recommendations from HSENI include creating secure play areas for younger children, setting clear rules and ensuring they receive age-appropriate guidance about farm hazards.

The deputy chief executive added: “A short conversation at the start of the day about where you can go, where you can’t, and what to do if you’re unsure, can prevent a serious incident later on.”

Busy periods

Particular care is needed during busy periods, such as silage season, slurry spreading and calving or lambing, when activity levels on farms increase.

Monson advised farmers that if close supervision is not possible during these times, children should be kept away from work areas.

He went on to say: “Children under 13 should never drive or ride on tractors, quads, or other farm machinery.”

HSENI also warned that children of this age “should be kept well from slurry stores and livestock pens”.

“If older children are helping with these jobs, those tasks need to be suitable for their age, with hazards explained clearly and the right protective equipment provided,” it stated.

Preventable tragedies

Monson said that, despite ongoing awareness efforts, serious incidents involving children continue to occur on farms each year.

“Sadly, every year across our island, children are seriously injured in incidents on farms — and some tragically lose their lives.

“These incidents are devastating for families and farming communities, and in many cases they are preventable.”

This summer, Monson urged families to reassess their farms from a child safety perspective.

“Take a fresh look at the farm through a child’s eyes. Ask yourself where the dangers are, what safeguards are in place, and what changes could prevent an accident.

“Because sometimes the simplest actions – shutting a gate, securing a key, creating a safe play space, or stopping to supervise – can make all the difference.