E.coli 0157: Health Alert - avoiding ill health at open farms

Following the recent outbreak of E.coli 0157 linked to a visitor farm attraction in Surrey, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is issuing this alert to remind farmers about the sensible and practical steps they need to take to reduce the risk of ill health to visitors.

Before farmers open their farm to visitors they should ensure that they follow the long-standing guidance laid down in Agriculture Information Sheet No.23(rev) "Avoiding ill health at open farms – Advice to farmers (with teachers' supplement)" which can be downloaded from the HSE web site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais23.pdf^[1] or obtained in hard copy by calling the HSE Info-line on 0845 345 0055.

The guidance explains the law, and gives advice on assessing the risk arising from E.coli 0157 as well as the simple steps farmers can take. These include deciding where visitors should be able to pet animals; ensuring visitors must pass by washing facilities to reach eating areas; adequate washing facilities with running water, liquid soap and disposal paper or roller towels are available in the right places; that enough time is allowed during the visit to ensure all visitors, especially children, wash their hands; and that information and signs reminding visitors to follow good hygiene practices are in place.

Farmers who have existing arrangements to accept open farm visits are advised to take this opportunity to review the practical steps they have taken to meet the standards laid down in the guidance.

Although the guidance was reviewed and reissued as recently as June 2009,   HSE will review it again once the investigation has been completed and its recommendations are known. In the meantime we believe the guidance is relevant and fit-for-purpose and that the basic hygiene advice - the key to avoiding infection from animals - is and is likely to remain sound.