Youth who live a

exposed to potefarm-related hathan other youtto create a safe important for fafamilies. 

Delivering on the Nation’s promise 

Safety and health at work for all people through research 

and prevention 

To receive NIOSH documents or for more 

information about occupational safety and 

health topics, contact: 

1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) 

1-888-232-6348 (TTY) 

E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Visit the NIOSH Web site at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh 

Visit the NIOSH Childhood Agricultural 

Injury Initiative site at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/childag/ 

Injuries to Youth on U.S. Farm 

Operations, 2004 

Youth on U.S

Just the facts . . . • 	 In 2004, 2.1 million 

U.S. 

• 	 Nearly 1/3 (650,00

having youth less them 

• 	 Over 1.25 million y• 	 27,600 injuries (3.1 

occurred to youth visited these farms 

• 	 Approximately 2/3 

to youth who lived 

• 	 Between 1995 and 

farms (43 deaths/1

Youth Fatal

19

• 	 Of the 907 youth 

U.S., most were b19 years 

• 	 The majority of d

farms were due ttractors; motor v

include ATVs; an

 Safer · Healthier · PeopleTM DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 2007-161

Department of Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

Understanding hoenvironment is imoperators and thelive and work on fpotentially dangerhazards more freq

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

 August 2007 
How to Keep the Youth on Your Farm Safe 

• 	 Children do what they see...be a good role 

model for farm safety. Devote a day to FARM SAFETY with your children. 

• 	 Inspect your farm for hazards to children. 

Remove as many hazards as possible. Mark dangerous areas clearly with hazard signs. 

• 	 Provide an enclosed and supervised safe 

play area for children. Do not allow children to play around machinery, workshops, storage buildings, or where work is occurring on the farm. 

• 	 Assign farm chores to youth that are

appropriate for their age such as thoserecommended in the North American Guidelines for Childhood Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT). 

Keeping Youth Safe Around Animals 

• 	 Teach youth how to handle and work with 

animals safely. 

• 	 Farm animals that are breeding, have 

newborns, or are sick can be aggressive - make sure children have no contact with these animals. 

• 	 Children should wear proper protective 

clothing when handling animals. For example, youth should always wear a helmet when riding horses. 

• 	 All household pets should have proper 

health checks and shots. 

Keeping Youth Safe Around Machinery 

• 	 Do not allow extra riders on tractors, all 

terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other farm equipment; follow the “ONE SEAT— ONE RIDER” rule. 

• 	 NEVER leave keys in the ignition of 

machinery or vehicles. 

• 	 Limit operation of ATVs, tractors, and 

machinery to older youth. ATV manufacturers recommend that riders be at least 16 years of age for ATVs 400 cc or larger, and that they take an ATV safety training course. Youth should not operate any ATV without wearing a helmet. 

• 	 Child labor laws require that hired youth 

be at least 16 years old to operate tractors and machinery on farms, except for 14- and 15-year olds who have received operator certification. All youth should be properly trained before operating tractors or machinery. 

• 	 Child labor laws do not apply to youth on 

their family’s farm. However, they are a good guide for when youth are old enough to do hazardous work safely. 

• 	 Youth, like adults, should not operate farm 

tractors without a Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) and a seatbelt. 

• 	 Youth should not operate tractors or other 

vehicles on public roads without a driver’s license. 

Farm operators who hire youth to work on their farm should be aware of all applicable child labor laws. 

Keeping Youth Sa

• 	 Always supervise c

near water. 

• 	 All entrances to po

manure pits shoulponds should have equipment. 

• 	 Alcohol contribute

on farms. Talk to dangers of drinkin

• 	 Never leave contai

in areas where tod

Youth Farm Work

into Operatin

2002 — A 14-yeaworker died aftoperating cattlThe victim was hook to drop hagrinder from thhay bales. He footing, slippegrinder.