Things to remember when in the countryside
Risk Assessment
Before undertaking your visit we would strongly advise you to do a risk assessment of the area. We suggest a pre trip visit so that you are familiar with the site and any potential risks that may need mitigation.
Clothing
When visiting the countryside it is always advisable to wear suitable clothing. Warm clothes are suggested, even in the summer. Wet weather gear, a raincoat for example, is also a strong recommendation. In terms of footwear ideally wellington boots, however old trainers will sometimes be sufficient.
Behaviour
The behaviour of the students is the responsibility of the teachers for the whole time they are on the farm. The students should know how to behave when on a farm and should have an understanding of the ‘Country Code’.
The Countryside Code
At a glance:
- Enjoy the countryside, respect its life and work
- Guard against all risks of fire
- Leave gates as you found them
- Keep dogs under control
- Keep to public foot paths when going across farm land
- Use gates and stiles to cross hedges ect
- Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
- Help to keep water clean
- Take all your litter home
- Protect wildlife plants and trees
- Take special care on country roads
- Make no unnecessary noise
Click here for more information on the Countryside Code
Health and Safety
We comply with Health and Safety Regulations, and details of facilities for hand washing, etc. are provided later. However, it is important that all children and supervising adults are aware of the correct Health and Safety guidelines.
The risk of infection is very small, but disease caused by an infection could be serious. By following simple guidelines, similar to everyday basic hygiene recommendations, the risk can be easily minimised.
The Health & Safety Executive has produced guidelines, HSE sheet AIS23 – Avoiding ill health at open farms – Advice to farmers. The supplement to AIS23 advises teachers and others who organise farm visits on controlling the risk of infection from animals which the children may have contact with during their visit.
All animals naturally carry a range of microorganisms, some of which can be transmitted to humans, causing ill health. Some, such as the bacterium Escherichia coli O157 (E coli O157) cause infections which can potentially cause disease, which may be particularly acute in young children.
While the hazard from infection resulting from a farm visit is real, the risk can be readily controlled by following sensible steps which will help make your visit safe, healthy and enjoyable.
Before your visit
Read and understand the advice in AIS23, and discuss visit arrangements with the farm management. Assure yourself that the facilities provided match the recommendations in AIS23
Decide what the ratio of students to teachers/assistants/parents should be, using advice from the Registration and Inspection Unit of your local authority social services department. As a general rule, the ratio of supervisors to children should be 1:1 for children under 1 year old, 1:2 for children between 1 and 2 years old, 1:3 for children between 2 and 3 years old, 1:4 for children between 3 and 5 years old, and 1:8 for those between 5 and 8 years old. If supervision levels are less than this, you should not allow direct contact with the animals for children under eight.
Discuss with students the rules for the visit, stressing that they must not eat or chew outside the areas in which you permit them to do so
Make sure that students wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy outdoor shoes (not sandals) or wellington boots if possible
Check that cuts, grazes, etc. on children’s hands are covered with a waterproof dressing.
During and after the visit, make sure that the students:
Do not kiss animals
Always wash their hands thoroughly before and after eating, after any contact with animals, and again before leaving the farm
Eat only food that they have brought with them, or food for human consumption that they have bought on the farm, in designated areas, and never eat food which has fallen to the ground, or taste animal foods
Do not suck fingers or put hands, pens, pencils or crayons, etc. in their mouths
Clean or change their footwear before leaving, remembering to wash their hands after any contact with animal faeces on their footwear.
Check that the students stay in their allocated groups during the visit, and that they-
Do not use or pick up tools (e.g. spades and forks) unless permitted to do so by farm staff
Do not climb on to walls or animal pens, etc.
Listen carefully, and follow the instructions and information given by the farm staff
Approach and handle animals quietly and gently
Do not chase, frighten or torment the animals.
Remember:
The students are your responsibility during the visit
You should supervise them during the visit, especially during hand washing, to make sure that each child washes thoroughly. Farm staff may be able to help with this supervision
Allow plenty of time before eating or leaving so that the students do not have to rush.
If a member of your group shows signs of illness (e.g. sickness or diarrhoea) after a visit, advise them or their parent/guardian to visit the doctor and explain that they have had recent contact with animals.
The farm provides warm water and soap for the children and helpers to wash hands in case of contact with animals and before eating. Food and drink should only be consumed after washing hands. Any cuts or grazes etc on hands should be covered with a waterproof dressing to avoid potential infection any helpers should be aware of the precautions above. There should be a sufficient number of helpers available relative to the number of children.