This article delves into the importance of understanding the developmental capacity of children and young adults, particularly those aged 12 to 13, in relation to their involvement in farming and agricultural activities. It highlights the potential risks and dangers associated with agricultural labor and emphasizes the need for age-appropriate tasks to ensure their health and safety.
Farming and agricultural businesses often involve teenagers in various capacities. These early teens, aged 12 to 13, may be present on a farm due to their family's management of the farm, or because they are children of employees. They may also be actively engaged in farm work as part of work experience or a holiday job.
While their involvement is generally acceptable in agricultural practices, it's crucial to understand their developmental capacities and how these can expose them to certain risks, potentially leading to serious injury or even death.
Farm or agricultural business managers must understand these developmental capacities and ensure that any task or activity involving these teenagers is safe and supervised when necessary.
Developmental issues at this age are general guidelines, and a specific risk assessment should be conducted for each teenager involved in farm work or agricultural activity.
There's a common presumption that teenagers around the age of 12 and 13 are somewhat rebellious, easily distracted, and can sometimes lack focus. They are also believed to be more inclined to take risks than other age groups.
These beliefs are based on the experiences of professionals who work with teenagers in this age group and a general societal understanding of the transition period from childhood to adulthood.
The main risks for this age group typically involve injuries from getting entangled in equipment or machinery, trauma to the head and spine from accidents while using ATVs and motorcycles, and physical injuries from falling off structures and machines.
Teenagers in this age range often overestimate their physical strength, leading to injuries such as sprained muscles or broken limbs from undertaking work beyond their physical capabilities.
Therefore, it's crucial to assign low-risk tasks to this age group. These tasks can include hand raking and digging, operating a lawnmower or a garden tractor (but not a ride-on mower), and limited use of certain power tools under supervision.
A suitable area of work for these teenagers is assisting with animal care, including preparing and providing feed and performing tasks related to animal welfare.
However, teenagers should not be exposed to any work that could severely impact their emotional health, such as the slaughter or inhumane treatment of animals in their care.
This article is written by Peter Main, a freelance writer specializing in agriculture and related matters. He writes extensively about all areas of tractor finance, including credit scores, insurance, and loan pay-offs. He has worked with all major manufacturers, such as farm and construction machinery, tractors, UTVs, lawn and garden tractors, and snowblowers.
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