Adult responsibilities

ADULTS NEED TO MAKE SURE:

• Ventilation system is working before the child enters a closed building
• Work area has no hazards
• Child knows an escape route
• Animals have no disease
• Child has been fitted for a respirator and shown how to use it

Main Hazards

Small particles can cause breathing problems	Moving parts of conveyor can entangle fingers, hands, hair and clothing

Remember

Eye protection as needed	Good handwashing	Respirator as needed

Can your child do this job?

ABILITY

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

Do the materials to be lifted weigh less than 10-15% of the child's body weight?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children lifting more than 15% of their body weight are more likely to injure their backs.

Can the child easily push up to 10-15% of his or her body weight?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who have to strain to push a heavy object are more likey to injure their backs.

If a cart is used for the conveyor system, can the child maneuver it? For example, can he or she steer a grocery cart through the store?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who can't handle the cart are more likely to be injured.

Are the scraping tools the right size for the child?
Yes.
No. STOP! The wrong size tools can cause injury.

Can the child understand and repeat from memory a 10-step process?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children who can't remember the steps to a job are more likely to be injured.

Does the child have at least a 15-20 minute attention span? For example, can the child play a board game for 20 minutes?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children working beyond their attention span are easily distracted and more likely to be injured.

If a conveyor system is used, can the child react quickly?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children need quick reactions to avoid injury.

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 an adult demonstrated working with poultry on site?
Yes.
No. STOP! Children learn best when shown how to do the job at the work site.

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.

Collecting eggs and cleaning the poultry house:

Age 12-13: CHECK every few minutes at first. When the child shows he or she can do the job, LEAVE for 15 to 30 minutes.

Age 14-15: When the child shows he or she can do the job, LEAVE for 15 to 30 minutes.

Feeding poultry using a feed cart:

Age 10-11: LIMIT job to 20 minutes.

Age 12-13: When the child shows he or she can do the job, LEAVE for 15 to 30 minutes.

Collecting eggs or feeding poultry using a conveyor system:

Age 14-15: WATCH nearly 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.

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