Community-Based Agriculture: Safety Guidelines for Youth Working in Gardens

Organization(s):

National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS)

Collection(s):

North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT)

Background and Purpose

In the US, gardens of all kinds (e.g. community, school, church, urban, etc.) are growing in popularity and diversity. Scholars and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) refer to these efforts collectively as community-based agriculture (CBA). Community-based agriculture differs from community-supported agriculture (CSA) by emphasizing consumer participation, civic duty, and smaller scale production. An increasing amount of people are being fed garden-based produce either as part of a local food effort or civic program. Importantly, more people are also participating in the garden itself; this includes youth and adults unfamiliar with many of the tasks and equipment associated with cultivating food. This trend is expected to continue, making knowledge of safety strategies increasingly important.

Gardens have served many purposes, from therapeutic interventions to education and training, societal reintegration or simply passing on a tradition. Moving consumers closer to their food, especially young consumers, is an excellent way to get them interested and excited about agriculture.

There are a lot of positive aspects associated with gardens and other community-based agriculture and we want to ensure that users of this guide are embracing those positive and enjoyable elements that help connect us to nature. As we introduce children to agriculture, several safety considerations should be reviewed and established by garden supervisors and organizers.

Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in North America. Unintentional injury to children and youth can occur when adults and children mistake physical size and age for ability, and underestimate levels of risk and hazard.

In non-agricultural industries, there are regulations and work standards that indicate appropriate work for both adults and children. In agriculture, the standards and regulations are different, and may not apply on a farm or garden. Parents/ supervisors often assign jobs based on their past practices, need for “extra hands” to get the job done, and preferences of the child and/or adult. The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) were developed at the request of parents to assist them with assigning safe and appropriate jobs to children and youth. These guidelines can also assist adults with teaching youth how to do a job safely.

The Safety Guidelines for Hired Adolescent Farm Workers (SaGHAF) are based upon NAGCAT guidelines and federal regulations. These were developed to assist employers and supervisors with providing teenagers safe, appropriate and valuable work opportunities.

ALWAYS

Always make the experience fun.
Always have adult supervision when children
are present.
Always know the location of bystanders before
operating equipment.
Always make sure the experience is
educational.
Always ensure everyone is trained in their
assigned jobs.
Always track your successes and failures so you
can build upon them in the future.
Always verify adults perform the safety related
jobs for which they are responsible.
Always have access to drinking water and hand-washing/restroom facilities.
Always enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Always use sunscreen and wear
weather appropriate clothing.
Always be willing to learn new
things.

NEVER

Never be afraid to ask questions.
Never allow extra riders on tractors or lawn mowers.
Never allow children to climb or ride on motorized walk-behind equipment.
Never allow children to work on tasks that are beyond their ability (see
guidelines for age-appropriate tasks).
Never assume that a child knows how to perform a job.
Never ride in the bed of a truck, UTV, or on a trailer.
Never interact with unfamiliar or
dangerous wildlife.
Never use equipment for other than its
intended purpose.
Never allow children to handle or be
exposed to newly applied pesticides.
Never use electronic devices (e.g., cell
phone) when operating equipment or when
equipment is being operated in the
immediate area.

A child’s experience in a garden depends on the adults: if a child has fun, learns something and is safe, it is because of the responsible adults. Adults, not the children, should decide which tasks children will perform, what equipment they are exposed to, what training children will receive, and how they are supervised. The safety of the child is always the responsibility of the adults.

Training Tips

Basic Principles For Training Teens

Adolescents respond most effectively to hands-on training in the job tasks they are to perform. Be sure to document all training in writing.

What to Train

Doing the job safely.
Recognizing hazards.
Taking precautions.
Using personal protective equipment.
What to do if a problem arises.
Guidelines to follow in case of emergency.
How to report an injury.

How to Train

Train using verbal interaction.
Use visual aids and emphasize key points.
Review instructions and seek feedback.
Ask teen to repeat instructions.
Demonstrate how to perform the task.
Watch teen perform the task, correct mistakes and review proper procedure.
Keep training sessions short.
Ask for questions.

When to Train

When the teen is first hired.
When the teen is given a new task or tool.
When a new hazard is introduced into the workplace.
After and incident (an injury or close call).
Periodically for review.

What puts them at risk?

Lack of experience
Unfamiliar with work
Enthusiasm-sometimes outweighs judgment
Risk-taking attitude
Drive to “prove” themselves
Reluctance to ask questions

Cultural Sensitivity

Invest time in learning about the teens’ cultures
Demonstrate respect
Show patience
Seek help from community organizations associated with teens’ cultures
Avoid value judgments
Use sensitive language
Recognize the importance of family
Accept lack of direct eye contact
Be aware of tendency to take risks

Employer/Supervisor Responsibilities

Employer responsibilities

Provide workers with a safe workplace.
Provide comprehensive training for employees.
Keep written records of all training activities.
Provide personal protective equipment
Take immediate action when informed of a potentially hazardous situation.
Immediately investigate incidents that occur.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Assign tasks based on age and physical capabilities.
Provide training on assigned tasks.
Require teen to demonstrate safe operation of equipment.
Clearly assign duties.
Instruct teens on how to recognize risks
Enforce health and safety procedures.
Supervise while teen accomplishes tasks.
Take action when unsafe acts or conditions occur.

Resource for regulations on teen workers:
U.S. Department of Labor
1-866-487-2365
Youth Labor websites www.dol.gov/
Or www.youthrules.dol.gov

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Youth Worker Safety and Health
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/

Work Basics

Bending

Adult responsibilities

ADULTS NEED TO MAKE SURE:

Child has safe transport to the work area
Work area has no hazards
Work tools and work station are adjusted to reduce unnecessary bending
Child has at least one ten-minute break every hour

The important steps for safe bending are followed:

Maintain good back posture
When standing and bending for long periods, shift weight from foot to foot
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly in front of the other
Keeping back straight, move down to a squatting position using leg muscles
Hold in stomach muscles
Shift from leg to leg when squatting, keeping body balanced
Turn feet and arms, not back, to reach for objects
Do not stay in any one position for more than a few moments
Follow the above tips for repeated bending

Young people should be reminded:

Improper standing and bending can lead to long-term back pain
Take frequent stretch breaks to avoid overuse of muscles

Main Hazards


Slippery/uneven surface can lead to slips, trips and falls	Weight can strain muscles	Repetitive motion can strain muscles and injure back and joints

Remember

Non-skid
shoes

Can your child do this job?

ABILITY

If the child needs to lift something, is the load less than 10-15% of his or her body weight?
Yes.
No. CAUTION! An adult should do the lifting.

Is the child going through a growth spurt? For example, is he or she clumsy or frequently changing clothing size?
Yes. STOP! Children in periods of rapid growth become less flexible, increasing the chance of muscle strain and injury to back and joints.
No.

TRAINING

Has the child been trained on bending techniques?
Yes.
No. STOP! Bending incorrectly can cause back injury.

If the child needs to lift something, has he or she been trained on lifting techniques?
Yes.
No. STOP! Lifting incorrectly can cause back injury.

Has an adult demonstrated bending on site?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children learn best when shown how to do the job at the worksite.

Has the child shown he or she can do the job safely 4 to 5 times under close supervision?
Yes.
No. CAUTION! An adult must watch constantly until the child shows he or she can do the job.

SUPERVISION

Can an adult supervise as recommended?
Yes.
No. STOP! The right level of supervision is key to preventing injuries.

Supervision

What's the right amount? Here are suggestions- but remember, it depends on the child.

Age 7-9: LIMIT job to 15 minutes. WATCH constantly.

Age 10-11: LIMIT job to 20 minutes. When the child shows he or she can do the job, CHECK every few minutes.

Age 12-13: When the child shows he or she can do the job, LEAVE for 15 or 30 minutes, then make sure the child is bending correctly, taking frequent stretch breaks, and not showing signs of fatigue.