Integrating Safety into Agritourism - National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety

Agritourism Ready: Agritourism Emergency Preparedness - The Ohio State University 

Risk Management And Risk Strategies

Fundamentals Of Risk Management

Emergency Preparedness

Signage - Warn Of Risk

Risk Management Staff Training 

Example Incident Report Form

Use these tips to minimize risk at your agritourism attraction:

• Prioritize the safety of your visitors and employees.
• Identify the risks involved with every activity you offer. Establish rules for planned activities, and, if necessary, modify the activity or equipment to make it safer.
• Establish an appropriate business structure. For example, partner with a corporation that will help protect your personal assets.
• Obtain proper insurance coverage. Speak to your insurance agent to be sure. If you are already in business and are considering a new activity, notify your insurance agent first to find out if the activity is insurable and at what cost. Ask your agent how you can make the activity safer.
• If you are producing and selling a product (ex: jam, pecans, bread), obtain the proper liability insurance as well as certification from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
• Visit with other operators to ask how they handle liability issues and what insurance agent they use.
• Familiarize yourself with current state liability legislation.
• Develop a safety plan specific to your agritourism operation.
• Train employees and ensure your activity has a proper guest-to-employee ratio.
• If you are offering a physical activity, you may want your guests to sign a rules and regulations form and/or participant release and assumption of risk forms.
• Certify yourself and your staff in CPR.
• Address animal health issues promptly and effectively.
• Document and assess the cause of incidents. Keeping a good record of incidents is a great way to monitor your safety history and make safety improvements.
• Implement procedures to make sure incidents don’t happen again.
• Give a copy of your safety plan to your insurance agent and ask if there are additional measures you should consider.

Although it may be impossible to eliminate all potential hazards, maintaining a proactive safety strategy and providing your insurer with documents proving your safety efforts may protect you legally in the long run. Make sure you spend the time necessary with your insurance agent to fully understand the provisions of your insurance policy.