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Written question asked by Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 October 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 October 2019. It was answered by Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative) on Monday, 21 October 2019 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Farms: Health and Safety

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether children visiting farms are protected by the statutory duties on employers and others to protect the health and safety of non-employees, including members of the public, as set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Answer

Children visiting farms, and those that live on the farm, are protected by the general duties of Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA). The HSWA requires employers and the self-employed to conduct their undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

In addition to the general duties of HSWA, the Prevention of Accidents to Children in Agriculture Regulations 1998 place specific duties on any person in respect of protecting the health and safety of children on farms from the risks of riding on or driving certain farm vehicles.

Guidance for employers and the self-employed can be found in the leaflet ‘Preventing accidents to children on farms’. A copy is attached.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL134
Session
2019-19
Attachment
Preventing accidents to children on farms
Subjects
Children Health and safety Farms
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk