FARMERS CARE features practical and simple ways to help farmers and ranchers seamlessly integrate safety into their day-to-day lives
AgSafe Alberta has launched a new program to help improve farm safety in the provice.
The new FARMERS CARE program features practical and simple ways to help farmers and ranchers seamlessly integrate safety into their day-to-day lives and build safety cultures within their operations.
"We are so pleased to make this first-of-its-kind safety program available to farmers and ranchers," said Erna Ference, AgSafe Alberta chair. "We wanted FARMERS CARE to be a simple way to get a safety journey started, while still having a major impact on the way we think about hazards on the farm."
The name "FARMERS CARE" is an acronym that represents the eleven most common types of farm incidents:
- Fall from heights
- Air quality
- Rollovers
- Motor vehicles
- Energy isolation
- Remote work
- Secure loads
- Chemical exposure
- Animal handling
- Restricted/Confined space
- Electrocution
"Each letter of the FARMERS CARE acronym and its corresponding symbol represent lifesaving opportunities that can be easily incorporated as farm safety values," said Jody Wacowich, AgSafe Alberta executive director. "We developed a program that was easy to use, practical, and accessible across the province as a way to help make safety standard on farming and ranching operations."
Earlier, AgSafe, with the help of partners, announced it is providing numerous mental health supports for farmers, ranchers and growers in British Columbia.
The first level of FARMERS CARE, available on AgSafeAB.ca, starts by guiding users through the process of identifying common agricultural hazards. It then provides practical examples to control the hazards, while introducing basic health and safety concepts along the way.
Once completed, farms and ranches can continue with additional AgSafe Alberta certification programs based on the size, scale and number of employees within their operation.
Safety week
Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan government has proclaimed March 13-19, 2022, as Agricultural Safety Week in the province.
"Agricultural Safety Week serves as an important reminder that safety in agriculture matters year-round, on and off the farm," said David Marit, minister of agriculture. "Everyone has a role to play, investing in our physical and mental health and promoting safe practices on the job. We must each do our part to ensure we are all able to return home to our loved ones at the end of every day."
Saskatchewan recognizes Canadian Agricultural Safety Week annually in partnership with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. It is focused on helping producers, families and communities lead the agricultural industry in safety and sustainability.
Farm owners/operators are the most likely to be seriously injured or die on the farm – followed by their children, and their employees, according to AgSafe Alberta.
"Saskatchewan's agriculture industry plays a major role in feeding the world, and Saskatchewan is proud to be a leader in exporting key crop products," said Don Morgan, minister of labour relations and workplace safety. "By putting safety first, producers can come home safe at the end of the day, while contributing to a strong agriculture industry."
In September 2021, a southern Ontario farm was being prosecuted for alleged workplace safety violations leading to 199 migrant workers contracting the coronavirus, and one dying of the disease.
