National Farm Safety Week – March 14 to 20
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It’s safety week for Canada’s farmers! The awareness-raising event takes place from March 14 to 20 and, according to Canada Safety Council, will encourage everyone in the farming industry to be safe and to plan ahead.
The agriculture industry is one of the most dangerous industries in Canada, prompting Canada Safety Council to launch National Farm Safety Week and remind farmers that by planning ahead and putting measures in place that will ensure safety and prevent injuries is key to running a successful farming business.
Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
By planning ahead, accidents and fatalities can be avoided. In many cases, safety on the farm gets compromised as tasks tend to be repetitive and become habitual, making it easy to take safety measures for granted. However, even when tasks are familiar – perhaps especially when tasks are familiar – vigilance in identifying potential risks is vital.
In Canada, according to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting program, 115 deaths a year occur on the farm as a result of farm-related incidents. At least 1,500 Canadians are hospitalized each year as a result of farm injuries. Statistics Canada states that 13,801 Canadian farms reported injuries that required medical treatment or caused lost time on the job. The most frequent causes of injury are the use of equipment in an unsafe manner, and accidents while handling material.
To ensure that your farm observes good safety practices, make sure that everyone on the farm is well trained in safety procedures around farm equipment use, and go over safe practices a few times every year to make sure the procedures are top of mind among staff. Eliminate risks before they become a problem by predicting potential problems and taking the necessary steps to eliminate them. Use the SAFE module to instill safety practices on your farm.
The SAFE module:
Spot hazards
By identifying potential hazards and developing safety solutions to deal with them, you eliminate problems before they start. Make inspection and identification a regular part of your routine.
Assess risk
Through regular safety checks, farm workers can determine the measure of risk associated with a potential hazard – does it require immediate action or can it be fixed at a later time?
Find safer ways
Control hazards at the source if possible. If it cannot be controlled, use personal protective equipment when dealing with the hazard.
Everyday
Make safety a top priority on your farm and ensure that proper safety precautions are taken every day.
