Welsh primary schools teach farm eye safety

Primary schools in Wales are teaching children how to protect their eyesight around farms through a new educational program. The initiative, led by the Wales Farm Safety Partnership (WFSP) and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), combines farm safety lessons with eye health awareness during National Eye Health Week.

The program centers on Nice to See You, Bob!, the third book in the Bob series. The story uses simple narrative to highlight hazards such as dust, debris, and moving machinery while explaining sight loss and visual impairment in language that young readers can grasp. Over 1,200 copies of the book have been distributed to schools, and braille editions have been produced to ensure that pupils with visual challenges can read the material independently.

School visits by the Welsh Whisperer and Bob the Sheepdog bring the lessons to life. The books, published by WFSP, use these familiar characters to spark conversation about safety in farming communities.

Sian Tandy, a member of WFSP, explained that farms pose multiple eye risks, from chemicals to moving equipment. The partnership with RNIB expands reach through braille editions and school outreach, ensuring the message reaches all children. Early exposure to sight loss awareness promotes empathy and inclusion, she added.