Health & Safety at Boydells Dairy Farm: avoiding infection

We really hope your visit to Boydells Dairy Farm is enjoyable and you love meeting and interacting with our animals. However, contact with animals carries a risk of infection, so we ask that you follow our health & safety guidelines to reduce the risk of ill health.

Farm animals carry a number of infections that can be harmful to people, for example, E.Coli and Cryptosporidium – many animals carry these infections even when they appear clean and healthy. The bacteria will be in the animal’s droppings and may be on the animal’s body, or on fences and surfaces in and around the farm. Touching animals, fences and other surfaces including the stream, could thus lead to infection, as you may pick up these bacteria and accidentally pass them to your mouth. It only takes a small number of bacteria to cause infection.

The best and simplest way to reduce the risk of infection is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after you have had contact with animals.

Hand Gels or wipes are not a substitute for washing your hands under running water.

BOYDELLS DAIRY FARM’S HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES.

Do not:

  • Put hands on faces or fingers in mouths whilst petting animals or walking around the farm.
  • Kiss farm animals nor allow children to put their faces close to animals.
  • Eat or drink while touching animals or walking round the farm, only in the designated eating areas
  • Eat anything that has fallen on the floor
  • Use gels or wipes instead of washing hands with soap and water. Gels and wipes do not remove E.Coli, Cryptosporidium or dirt.
  • Bring anything unnecessary (soft toys etc.) in to the farm.

    Do:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you have touched animals, fences or other surfaces in animal areas.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and drinking.
  • Remove and clean boots or shoes that might have become soiled and clean pushchair wheels. Then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Supervise children closely to ensure they wash their hands.

    HAND GEL ALONE WILL NOT PROTECT YOU.

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