Safety, Liability, and Insurance for Agritourism

Doug Oliver, CPCU, AICJoey Shipp, CPCU, AIC

Farm Risk ManagersGeorgia Farm Bureau Insurance Companies

Why Safety Matters

• Health/wellbeing of all

• Mitigates the chances of lawsuits

• Financial stability of your operation

• Reputation

• Participation/sales

• Peace of mind

Safety Measures For All Farm Operations

Entrance, Exit, Traffic, and Parking

• Signs directing flow and speed of traffic

• Driving paths kept clear and free of obstacles

• Easily identifiable parking

• Handicap accessible

• Personnel giving directions

Walkways, Surfaces, and Structures

• Paths should be smooth, level, and free from steep grades.

• Trails and walkways should be clearly marked.

• Slick surfaces should be free of oil, sand, etc.

• Remove hoses, wires, limbs, debris, and other hazards.

Walkways, Surfaces, and Structures (cont’d)

• Lock doors and place signs on buildings that are off-limits.

• Consider shelters for activities under trees.

Barriers and Fences

• Between animals and participants

• Adult supervision when fencing is limited

• Proper latches and locks

• No barbed wire or electric wire near participants

• Ropes, signs, and markers as guides

Hand Washing and Restrooms

• Facilities in guest, employee, and food service areas

• Near animal contact areas

• Port-a-potty facilities when needed for larger crowds

• Adequate fresh water, soap, and paper towels

• Handwashing instructions posted

• Procedures communicated to employees and guests

Emergency Preparation and Planning

• Signs to warn of potential dangers

• Emergency telephone numbers

• Adequately stocked first aid kits

• Emergency plans for lost children, medical, or weather related events

• Radio or phone communication for all employees

• Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors

Emergency Preparation and Planning (cont’d)

• Fire Safety procedures posted in buildings

• Evacuation plan and map

• Easy access for medical personnel

• Education of all employees

• Extra jackets, sunscreen, bottled water

Machinery

• Operate away from participants, particularly children.

• Keep safety features installed – guards, covers, warning signs, etc.

• When demonstrating, keep participants at a safe distance.

• Use extreme caution and follow laws on roadways.

Safety Measures for Specific Activities

Corn Maze

• Sign with rules posted at entrance

• Path free of debris and other trip hazards

• No Smoking signs posted and enforced

• Elevated platform supervision

• Supervision inside

• Education of emergency exits

Food Service

• Adherence to codes, laws, ordinances

• Gloves, hairnets, and adequate clothing

• Proper hand washing techniques and reminders

• Kitchen/appliance cleaning procedures and logs

• Proper food storage and preparation temperatures

• Pasteurized milk and dairy products

Inflatables

• Adult supervision

• Sign with rules, age, height requirements

• Age-appropriate participants only

• No sharp objects

• Proper inflation, installation

• Feet first on slides

• Close during bad weather

Play Areas

• Location/layout – surroundings, hazards

• Design/installation by professionals

• Maintenance of wood, steel, moving parts

• Ground cover – mulch, rubber, etc.

• Rest area, protection from sun

• Supervision

• Post rules

• Consider sand box instead of corn crib

Farm Market Safety U-pick and Roadside Stands

• Proper storage and application of raw manure and fertilizer to avoid contact

• Hand washing facilities

• Regular sanitation of crates, baskets

• Produce cleaned with cool water

• Separation of animal and vegetable products, ex. – eggs, produce

Hayrides

• Avoid public roads.

• Choose routes beforehand to avoid steep grades, holes, and other hazards.

• Use wagons with sturdy railings, seating, steps, and gates.

• Hitch tractor or horses before loading participants.

• Inspect/repair equipment prior to each use.

• SUPERVISION!

Animal/ Petting Zoo Safety

• Signs posted with detailed instructions

• Proper fences/stalls

• Hand washing facilities

• Healthy animals only

• Helmets when offering rides

• No food near animals

• Proper supervision

• Keep animals and facilities clean, free of waste

Water Safety

• Fences/signs for off-limits lakes, ditches, and drains

• Proper railing on docks and bridges

• Rescue equipment - buoy, rope, and pole

• Adult supervision – certified lifeguard for swimming

• Life vests for children, elderly, and disabled

Liability and Insurance

What is Liability?

• The state of being legally responsible or liable for something

• Something (such as the payment of money) for which a person or business is legally responsible

• Someone or something that causes problems

Why do I need Liability Insurance?

• To protect your assets in case of a claim or suit against you for negligence

• To provide a legal defense for claims against you and your operation when you are not liable

• To pay claims for which you are liable

• When coverage is mandatory

What is Negligence?

• Failure to take the care that a responsible person usually takes

• Lack of normal care or attention

• Failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances

Insurance for Agritourism

• Property and Auto

• Farm Liability

• Commercial Liability

• Special Events

• Umbrella Liability

GFB Farm Liability Coverage

• Provides liability coverage for farming operations. • GFB definition of farming - the practice of

agriculture, that includes, but is not limited to, aquaculture or apiculture operations on farm premises owned, leased, rented, maintained or otherwise legally used by you for production of your farm product.

• Farming includes roadside stands, the selling of your bulk product to a retailer or wholesaler, and/or “you pick your own” operations for the sole purpose of selling unaltered farm products produced solely by your farm operations…

GFB Farm Liability Coverage( cont’d)

Farming does not include:

• Retail or wholesale activity other than that described above

• Processing operations which alter your product from its natural state

• Agritourism

Commercial Liability Coverage

• Offered by GFB to cover commercial activities.

• Sometimes used for agri-business activities excluded under our Farm Liability coverage.

• Example - Manufacturing or processing of farm related products.

• Example - Commercial activities not defined as farming.

• Offering of coverage is subject to our underwriting rules and guides.

Events / Umbrella Insurance

• Events – For special events like multi-seller auctions, festivals, rodeos, fairs, exhibitions, concerts, etc.

• Umbrella – Coverage that applies after limits of underlying farm, auto, or commercial policies have been exhausted due to a large loss/accident.

Am I Properly Covered?

• Consult a Licensed Property and Casualty Agent.

• Georgia Farm Bureau services every county in the state.

Questions?

Doug Oliver, CPCU, AICJoey Shipp, CPCU, AIC

Farm Risk ManagersGeorgia Farm Bureau Insurance Companies