Chapter 1 – Identify hazards and risks
On a farm visit, visitors could be exposed to hazards and risks that they may not understand. In order to ensure a safe visit, it is necessary that farmers, teachers and children are aware of these hazards, in order to minimise the risk to them and others.
- Risk expresses the likelihood of harm from a particular hazard (for example: how likely is it that you might slip in a patch of mud?).
- A hazard is something with a potential to cause harm (the patch of mud).
- Hazards only present a risk when there is human interaction (someone slipping in the patch of mud).
- A risk assessment involves identifying the hazards present then evaluating the extent of the risks involved, taking into account any precautions already in place (identifying the patch of mud as a potential problem; noting that it will be walked past; and then ensuring that everyone wears boots with good grips).
Identifying possible hazards on a farm
What hazards are the visitors likely to face? What kinds of behavior will increase the risk? How can these risks be controlled? The farmer should be reviewing hazards on an on-going basis and employing risk-assessment techniques. The teacher should, if possible, make a pre-visit check on the location's risks and point out any hazards that she/he feels need management.
Checklist: Identifying possible hazards on a farm
