Adult responsibilities

ADULTS NEED TO MAKE SURE:

• Work area has no hazards
• Animals have no disease
• Child does not handle the cows that usually kick
• Child has at least one ten-minute break every hour

Main Hazards

Animal kicks, step-ons and head butts can cause injury	Contact with detergents and sanitizers can irritate skin	Repetitive motion can strain muscles and injure back and joints

Remember

Eye protection when working with detergents and sanitizers	Steel-toed shoes with non-skid soles	Fluid-resistant gloves when working with detergents and sanitizers

Can your child do this job?

ABILITY

Can the child bend and lift safely? (See "Bending"/"Lifting")
Yes.
No. STOP! Children must be able to bend and lift correctly in order to do this job safely.

Is the child comfortable around cows?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who are uncomfortable around cows are more likely to be injured.

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 coordinated and less flexible, increasing the chance of injury.
No.

Is the child strong enough to control a cow?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who can't control a cow are more likely to be injured.

Can the child stay focused on a job up to 50 minutes?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children working beyond their attention span are easily distracted and more likely to be injured.

Can the child react quickly?
Yes.
No. STOP! Because animals behave unpredictably, children need quick reactions to avoid injury.

Does the child have good peripheral vision? For example, while looking straight ahead, can the child see our finger entering his or her field of vision at shoulder level?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children with limited vision may not see dangers in the work area.

Can the child understand and repeat from memory a 15-step process?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who can't remember the steps to a job are more likely to be injured.

TRAINING

Has the child been trained on animal behavior?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who don't understand animal behavior are more likely to be injured.

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

Has the child been trained on safe handling of chemicals?
Yes.
No. STOP! Training is needed to prevent injury.

Has an adult demonstrated milking animals 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 14-15: WATCH constantly at first. When the child shows he or she can do the job, CHECK every few minutes.

Age 16+: CHECK every few minutes at first. When the child shows he or she can do the job, LEAVE for 15 to 30 minutes, then make sure the child is bending and lifting correctly and not showing signs of fatique.

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

For more information, visit: http://www.nagcat.org

National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety Marshfield Clinic
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449-5790
Phone: 1-800-662-6900 or 715-389-4999
Fax: 715-389-4996

National Farm Medicine Center
Marshfield Clinic
1000 North Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449-5790
Phone: 1.800.662.6900 or 715.389.4999
Fax: 715.389.3535