All animals naturally carry a range of micro-organisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans, where
they may cause ill health.
Some of these, such as the bacterium Escherichia coli O157 (E coli O157) have the potential to cause severe
illness and health problems particularly in young children.
Adults accompanying children onto our farm are responsible for those children in their care and must ensure
that the precautions we have carried out are strictly adhered to if your visit is to be a safe one.
For instance: keeping to designated areas, not eating in the farm building and correct hand washing.
As with many other educational or recreational activities, visits can never be considered free from all risk.
However, while the hazards are real, the risk of infection in children can be readily controlled by simple
everyday measures.
In particular you should ensure that each child washes their hands thoroughly. Site staff may be able to help
with this supervision;
If a your child shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, they should visit the doctor
explaining they have had contact with animals
Further advice on E. coli O157 including a video on hand washing is available at:
Information sheet AIS239( rev3) supp C100 can be obtained from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk
CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165 Fax: 01787 313995 or from http://www.hsebooks.co.uk
Farm Safety Rules for Visitors & Pupils
| 1. | Do not kiss animals or hold them up to your face. |
| 2. | Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, after any contact with animals and again before leaving the site. |
| 3. | Never eat food which has fallen to the ground, or taste animal foods. |
| 4. | Do not suck fingers or put hands, pens, pencils or crayons, dummies etc. in mouths. |
| 5. | Clean or change your footwear before leaving (it is advisable to wear wellies on farm visits) and wash your hands after changing your. footwear. |
| 6. | Do not use or pick up tools (e.g. spades and forks) or touch other work equipment unless permitted to do so by site staff. |
| 7. | Do not climb on to walls, fences, gates or animal pens etc; |
| 8. | Listen carefully and follow the instructions and information given by the site staff; |
| 9. | Do not climb on to walls, fences, gates or animal pens etc; |
| 10. | Listen carefully and follow the instructions and information given by the site staff; |
| 11. | Approach and handle animals quietly and gently. Do not chase, frighten or torment the animals; |
| 12. | Do not wander off into unsupervised or prohibited areas e.g. manure heaps. |
Health and safety of pupils and visitors: