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PAGE A-16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1998.
Agriculture '98
Help Bernie and the Cat
FIND THE FARM HAZARDS!
Sights and sounds of farm can prove dangerous to children
Unlike any other industrial site,
children are frequent visitors to
work areas of the family farm.
Large machinery, interesting
noises and moving parts are often
an attractive, yet dangerous, draw
for youngsters.
In keeping with Farm Safety
Week, March 11 to 18, farmers and
farm labourers were reminded of
the many safety tips for children
which can prevent both injuries and
loss of lives.
Firstly, as the adult, the responsi-
bility for a child's safety begins
with supervision and an under-
standing of the child's capabilities.
Though exposed to farm machin-
ery far less frequently, children
under 16 account for 20 per cent of
all farm-accident deaths, from 1985
to 1994.
Sixty per cent of those child
deaths involved children five and
under with two-thirds a result of
being struck by or caught in farm
machinery.
Another 27 per cent died after
falls from tractors or equipment.
The Farm Safety Association
reiterates the fact that allowing
youngsters to ride on farm equip-
ment is a "negligent and irresponsi-
ble act."
The risk for riders is not limited
to the youngest. In the six to 15 age
group, 20 per cent of the deaths can
be attributed to falls from moving
machinery.
Through this age bracket, parents
may see the need for supervision
decline, however, the strict enforce-
ment of staying away from the
work area, must be continued.
It is also in these years that chil-
dren want to become involved in
farm work.
Parents must take the time to
instruct them on proper work meth-
ods, safety rules and assigning
tasks that are age appropriate.
Age-appropriate tasks
For preschoolers, experts suggest
"helping" tasks, such as feeding
small animals. Work should be
completed within 10 minutes and
not require accuracy, balance, rapid
motion or machinery.
Adult supervision is required at
all times and instruction must be
repeated with each task.
For the six to 11-year-olds, jobs
should still be able to be finished in
a short time and need limited hand-
to-eye co-ordination.
With a desire to use implements,
chores utilizing hand tools are
appropriate.
With a demonstration of tech-
nique and some supervision, these
youngsters may be able to feed ani-
mals, clean up, do yard work such
as weeding, watering , picking, rak-
ing and digging.
Lawn mowing, with a push
mower on flat surfaces, may be
permitted after age 10.
As youngsters enter the early
teens years, experts suggest this
may be the most dangerous time
due to risk-taking, ease of distrac-
tion, clumsiness and a sense of
immortality.
Though power tools can be used
under supervision, hand tools are
still recommended.
This is the stage at which to
increase physical demand of jobs,
starting with low risk and gradually
allowing less supervision and more
responsibility.
By the age of 15, most youths are
able to begin undertaking adult
tasks because muscle development
and control is complete.
With adult supervision, they may
gain equipment operation experi-
ence. However, it is suggested that
old machinery not be given to teens
CONTINUED ON A-17