Our visitor risk assessment can be downloaded by right clicking on the below link and selecting "Save Target As":

Risk Assessment Sheet

We always encourage group leaders to make a preliminary visit to carry out their own risk assessment.

Safety and hygiene are of paramount importance – all our animals and equipment are given regular health checks and we have hand-washing facilities throughout the Farm.

The following advice is taken from the latest Health and Safety Executive information sheet, AIS23 Supplement (revised). To download a copy, right click on the below link and select "Save Target As":

Health and Safety Executive Information Sheet AIS23

Avoiding ill health at open farms –
advice to teachers and group leaders

Before your visit :

• make a preliminary visit to the Farm, using the free tickets which are sent with our confirmation
• familiarise yourself with the route your group will follow, the position of the hand-wash and Germinator points and toilets
• discuss with the supervisors, who may be parents or staff of the school, crèche etc, their role during the visit. They must understand the need to make sure that the children wash, or are helped to wash, their hands thoroughly after contacting animals, and follow the other rules suggested below
• discuss with pupils 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 pupils 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 children

• do not kiss animals
• always wash their hands thoroughly before and after eating, after any contact with animals and again before leaving the Farm
• use the Germinator hand scanners as directed by the Farm Staff
• eat only food that they have brought with them, or food for human consumption 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 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 children stay in their allocated groups during the visit, and that they

• do not use or pick up tools (eg 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 children are your responsibility during the visit
• you should supervise them during the visit, especially during hand-washing and scanning to make sure that each child washes thoroughly
• allow plenty of time before eating or leaving so that the children do not have to rush

If a member of your group shows signs of illness (eg. 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.

      Using the Germinator