Agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries in the UK. Unlike other high-risk sectors such as construction or mining, farms are also homes where children live, play, and sometimes work. This creates unique risks that require careful management.

The statistics are stark: Every year, children and young people under 18 are killed and seriously injured on farms in Great Britain. Most child fatalities on farms involve family members - the children of farmers, not trespassers or visitors.

This guide explains the legal requirements for protecting children on farms and provides practical guidance on keeping children safe, whether they are residents, workers, or visitors.

Why children are at particular risk on farms

Children face heightened risks on farms for several reasons:

Curiosity and unpredictability: Children are naturally curious and may not understand or respect danger. They can appear suddenly in unexpected places
Size and visibility: Small children are difficult to see from tractor cabs and can be hidden by machinery, bales, or terrain
Physical limitations: Children lack the physical strength, coordination, and reaction time to escape dangerous situations
Lack of experience: Even farm children who have grown up around hazards may not fully understand the risks or may become complacent
Familiarity breeding complacency: Parents and family members may underestimate risks because activities seem routine
Desire to be involved: Children want to participate in farm life and may resist being excluded from activities

The HSE notes that people often believe farm children understand farm risks - but the reality is that most children killed on farms are family members who live there.

The legal position: children as residents, visitors, and workers

The law treats children on farms differently depending on their role:

Farm as a workplace

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, farms are workplaces. Employers and self-employed persons must:

Ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees and anyone else affected by work activities - including children
Assess risks to young people (under 18) specifically under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Provide information to parents of young people about risks and control measures

Farm as a home

When children live on a farm, the workplace does not stop at the farmhouse door. Farm children have constant access to workplace hazards. The duty to protect them from work activities applies whenever and wherever those activities take place.

Farm as a visitor attraction

If you welcome visitors - whether for open farms, educational visits, pick-your-own, or farm shops - you have specific duties to protect them, including children. Additional guidance on visitor safety is covered later in this guide.

Age restrictions: the law on children and farm machinery

The Prevention of Accidents to Children in Agriculture Regulations 1998 sets out specific prohibitions based on age.

Children on Farms - Age Restrictions and Safety Rules

Age restrictions and safety rules for children on farms under health and safety law.

Fatality context: Agriculture has highest rate of child fatalities of any UK industry
Under 13 rule: CANNOT be employed in any work (including family farms)
Age 13-16 rule: Can do light agricultural work ONLY - prohibited from tractors, machinery, dangerous animals
Age 16-17 rule: Can do most agricultural work but with restrictions on certain high-risk activities
Under 18 rule: Cannot drive tractors on public roads without passing tractor driving test
ATV age limit: Children under 13 should NOT operate ATVs

Legal restrictions by age

Under 13: No employment in any work (including family farms)
13-16: Light agricultural work only - prohibited from driving tractors, operating machinery, working with dangerous animals
16-17: Most work permitted with restrictions on high-risk activities
Under 18: Cannot drive tractors on public roads without passing tractor test

Keeping children safe

Supervise children at ALL times on the farm
Keep children away from working areas, machinery, and livestock
NEVER allow children to ride on tractors or machinery
Fence or cover pits, ponds, and slurry stores
Store chemicals and medicines securely
Teach children about farm hazards from an early age

Preventing accidents to children on farms

THRESHOLD 13

age threshold: 13

It is illegal to allow a child under 13 to:

Drive a tractor or any self-propelled agricultural machine
Ride on a tractor (including in the cab)
Ride on any self-propelled agricultural machine (combines, telehandlers, sprayers, ATVs/quad bikes)
Ride on any trailer being used for agricultural operations
Ride on any machine or implement mounted on, towed, or propelled by a tractor

There are no exceptions. This applies on the farmyard, in fields, and on roads. It applies whether or not there is a passenger seat. The prohibition is total.

The only exception is riding in a trailer where the child rides on the floor or on a load and adequate means exist to prevent them falling - such as properly supervised trailer rides at open farm events.

Why the under-13 prohibition exists

Children under 13 are at extreme risk from farm vehicles because they:

Can fall from cabs, steps, or moving machinery
Can be thrown against controls or cab structures
Can interfere with controls causing vehicle to move unexpectedly
May jump off or try to climb on while machinery is moving
Are invisible to drivers when near or around large machinery

Case example from HSE: A 3-year-old child was run over by a tractor rolling a silage clamp. The child had been carried in various tractors over the day but was let out near the silage clamp area. Despite adults watching, the child moved onto the clamp and was run over when the father reversed. The father was prosecuted for putting his son at risk under HASAWA and for carrying the child in the tractor under the 1998 Regulations. He was fined a total of £600. The child survived with serious injuries.

Age 16 - road driving begins with restrictions

At age 16, a person with a category F driving licence can drive an agricultural tractor:

On roads only (not the full range of farm work)
With a maximum width restriction of 2.45m for both tractor and any trailer
Trailers must have a single axle or close-coupled double axle

For full, unrestricted tractor driving on roads, a person must be 17 with a category B licence, or hold a full category F licence.

Under 16 - what they can NEVER do

Regardless of training or supervision, children under 16 must never:

Drive, operate, or help to operate any self-propelled machine other than permitted tractors (for 13-15 year olds)
Drive, operate, or help to operate any equipment with cutting, splitting, or crushing mechanisms
Use any chemical application equipment
Drive ATVs/quad bikes for agricultural work

Other hazardous activities for children

Beyond machinery, children must be kept away from numerous farm hazards:

Animals

Cattle with calves: Cows are particularly dangerous when protecting calves. Never allow children near cows with young calves
Bulls: All bulls should be considered dangerous. Children must never be in fields or enclosures containing bulls
Pigs: Sows with piglets can be aggressive. Boars are unpredictable
Horses: Can kick, bite, or trample. Children need supervision around horses
Even apparently docile animals: Large animals can injure children simply by moving unexpectedly

Water hazards

Slurry pits and lagoons - toxic gases and drowning risk. These must be securely fenced with childproof barriers
Ponds, streams, and ditches - drowning risk especially for young children
Grain stores and silage clamps - suffocation and engulfment risk
Rainwater collection tanks - drowning risk

Stored materials

Grain bins and silos: Flowing grain acts like quicksand. Children can be engulfed in seconds
Stacked bales: Heavy bales can collapse and crush. Children must not climb on bale stacks
Chemicals and pesticides: All agricultural chemicals must be locked away from children
Fuel stores: Fire and poisoning risks

Heights and falls

Barn lofts and hay mows
Silos and grain bins
Ladders and platforms
Roofs (especially fragile asbestos cement sheets)

Creating safe play areas

The HSE is clear: children must not be allowed in the farm workplace. Young children should enjoy outdoor space in a secure, fenced area away from working areas.

Essential features of a safe play area

Secure fencing: The boundary must prevent children from leaving and stop farm traffic and animals from entering. Gates must have childproof catches that young children cannot operate
Away from traffic routes: Locate the play area well away from where vehicles operate, load, or turn
Visible from the house: Ideally, the area should be visible from the farmhouse for easy supervision
Activities to keep children occupied: Provide enough play equipment and activities to reduce the temptation to leave
No access to hazards: Ensure no access to machinery, chemicals, water, or animals from within the play area

Supervision requirements

A secure play area reduces but does not eliminate the need for supervision. Young children still need regular checking. The play area gives you a known, safe location while you work nearby.

Any access to work areas by children under 16 - for example, for education or learning about farming - must be:

Planned in advance
Fully supervised by an adult who is not simultaneously doing other work
Risk assessed for the specific activities involved

Family farm considerations

Family farms face particular challenges because children are constantly present and want to be involved in farm life. However, family circumstances do not change the law or the risks.

The reality of farm family life

Farmers often say:

"I did it when I was young and I was fine"
"They need to learn about farming"
"I can't keep them locked up forever"
"They know the risks"

None of these justify exposing children to workplace hazards. The children who die on farms are almost all family members - the belief that "my child knows better" is tragically common among parents who have lost children to farm accidents.

What family farms must do

Treat the farm as a workplace: The legal duties apply regardless of family relationships
Separate work and play: Create clear boundaries between where children can and cannot go
Never take "just this once" risks: Many fatal accidents happen during exceptional circumstances - silage making, harvest, when routines are disrupted
Plan for busy periods: Arrange childcare during high-risk operations like harvest and calving
Lead by example: If adults take shortcuts with safety, children will copy

Educational involvement - doing it safely

It is possible to teach children about farming safely:

Walk fields together to observe crops and livestock - when machinery is not operating
Help with age-appropriate tasks like feeding pet animals in safe environments
Watch operations from a safe, designated viewing area - not "from the cab"
Learn about machinery when it is stationary, isolated from power, and in a safe location

Visitor safety: school visits and open farms

If your farm welcomes visitors - whether for educational visits, open days, pick-your-own, farm shops, or events - you have specific duties to protect them.

Pre-visit planning

Risk assessment: Assess the specific risks visitors will face and the control measures needed
Route planning: Define visitor routes that keep people away from working areas, machinery, and livestock
Group leaders: Ensure visiting teachers/supervisors understand their responsibilities and the farm rules
Child-to-adult ratios: Agree appropriate supervision levels for the activities planned

During visits

Safety briefing: Give all visitors (including children at an appropriate level) clear instructions about hazards and rules
Supervision: Maintain agreed supervision ratios throughout
Restrict access: Use barriers, signs, and supervision to keep visitors in safe areas
Hand washing: Provide adequate hand-washing facilities and ensure visitors use them, especially before eating and before leaving

Animal contact

If visitors (especially children) will have contact with animals, additional precautions are essential:

Supervise all animal contact closely
Ensure children do not put fingers in mouths during or immediately after touching animals
Provide and enforce hand washing after any animal contact
Keep eating areas completely separate from animal contact areas
Be aware of E. coli O157 and other zoonotic infection risks

Contractor and delivery driver safety

Visiting contractors and delivery drivers also need to be protected from risks involving children, and vice versa.

Designated areas: Provide clear directions on where to park, load/unload, and wait - away from areas where children may be present
Communication: Inform contractors about the presence of children and any specific precautions
Keep children away: Ensure children are not in areas where contractors are working or vehicles are manoeuvring
Supervision during deliveries: If possible, keep children indoors or in secure play areas during deliveries and collections

Emergency procedures

Despite all precautions, accidents can happen. Having emergency procedures in place can save lives.

First aid

Ensure adequate first aid equipment is available
At least one person should have current first aid training
Know the location of the nearest hospital with accident and emergency facilities
Ensure mobile phones work on your farm (or know where signal is available)

Emergency contacts

Emergency services: 999
Keep farm location details ready - what3words address or grid reference for emergency services to find you quickly
Post emergency numbers prominently in the farm office and kitchen

Reporting accidents

Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), you must report:

Deaths
Specified injuries (fractures, amputations, serious burns, etc.)
Injuries to non-workers (including children) that require hospital treatment
Dangerous occurrences (near misses with potential for serious harm)

Report online at www.hse.gov.uk/riddor or by phone to the HSE Incident Contact Centre.

Insurance implications

Failing to protect children on farms has serious insurance implications:

Employers' Liability Insurance

If you employ anyone - including young people - you must have Employers' Liability Insurance of at least £5 million (usually £10 million). This covers claims from employees injured at work, including young workers.

Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance covers claims from visitors, contractors, and members of the public. If a child is injured on your farm - whether a visitor or a trespasser - you could face a claim. Most farm policies include Public Liability cover.

Policy conditions

Insurance policies typically require you to comply with legal requirements. If you breach the Prevention of Accidents to Children in Agriculture Regulations - for example, by allowing an under-13 in a tractor cab - your insurer may:

Refuse to pay a claim
Require you to contribute to the claim
Cancel or refuse to renew your policy

Review your cover

If you have visitors (educational visits, open days, events), check your Public Liability cover is adequate and that your activities are covered. Some policies exclude certain visitor activities.

Education and awareness resources

Several organisations provide educational resources about farm safety for children:

For children

Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies): Educational programmes delivered in schools and colleges
HSENI "Be Aware Kids" campaign: Resources specifically for Northern Ireland
Farm Safety Scotland: Scottish resources for farm families

For adults

HSE publications: INDG472 leaflet and L116 Approved Code of Practice
NFU guidance: Member resources on child safety compliance
Farm safety courses: Many agricultural colleges offer farm safety training including child protection elements

Training for young people

If you plan to allow a 13-15 year old to operate a low-powered tractor, they should complete an appropriate training course:

Lantra "Tractor Driving 13-15 Years Old" course: Covers safe operation within the legal restrictions
Agricultural college courses: Many rural colleges offer young farmer safety training

Assess your current child safety arrangements

Walk around your farm with fresh eyes. Identify where children could access hazardous areas, machinery, animals, water, and stored materials. List the gaps in your current arrangements.
Create or improve secure play areas

If children live on or regularly visit your farm, establish a secure, fenced play area away from work areas, traffic routes, and hazards. Ensure gates have childproof catches. Provide activities to keep children occupied.
Communicate rules to all family members

Ensure everyone understands and agrees to the rules about where children can and cannot go. This includes grandparents, visitors, and anyone else who may be looking after children on the farm.
Plan childcare for high-risk periods

Identify your busiest and most hazardous periods (harvest, silage, calving). Arrange childcare or extra supervision in advance rather than trying to manage both farming and children.
Review contractor and visitor arrangements

Update your site rules and communicate them to regular contractors and delivery drivers. Ensure they know where children may be present and what precautions to take.
Check your insurance cover

Confirm your Employers' Liability and Public Liability insurance is adequate and covers your activities. If you have visitors or run events, check these activities are specifically covered.
Update your risk assessment

If you have not assessed risks to children specifically, do so now. Under MHSWR 1999, risks to young people require specific assessment. Document your findings and control measures.

AGRICULTURE & FARMING Requirement

If your farm welcomes school groups or educational visits, you have additional duties under health and safety law. You must conduct a specific risk assessment for educational visits, agree supervision arrangements with visiting teachers, provide appropriate safety briefings, and ensure hand-washing facilities are available and used. The Industry Code of Practice for Animal Visitor Attractions provides detailed guidance on protecting visitors, especially children, from zoonotic infections.

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