Supervision of Children in Agricultural Settings: Implications for Injury Risk and Prevention

ABSTRACT

Farm environments pose unique safety hazards for children. With this in mind, this paper raises several points about how caregiver supervision influences risk of childhood injuries. First, research suggests that it is not the absence of a supervisor per se but the poorer quality of supervision that leads to pediatric injuries on farms, particularly for young children who behave in unpredictable ways at a time when caregivers are likely to be distracted with farm work. Second, research suggests that “adequate” supervision varies with context. In nonfarm contexts, continuous attention and close proximity (i.e., being within arm's reach) constitute an adequate level of supervision to ensure young children's safety. In agricultural contexts, attention and continuity are also relevant. However, close proximity is less beneficial because this often results in exposing children to hazards (animals, dangerous equipment) if the supervisor is working. Third, research suggests that in both agricultural and nonagricultural contexts, the extent to which supervision is associated with injury varies with a child's developmental level. Specifically, supervision seems to play a more primary role in moderating injury risk for young children (preschool), and this influence decreases as children age and increasingly independent are allowed to engage in more activities without a supervisor present. Building on these findings, practical recommendations are provided to enhance the safety of children on farms and future research directions are discussed.

Keywords:

• Children
• prevention
• safety guidelines
• supervision
• unintentional injury