Education And Common Sense, Not More Rules
I am appalled recently by the many articles written about farm safety: why we need to fall under Occupational Health and Safety services, why we need Workers’ Compensation and why we need all of this to be mandated by the government. All farm deaths and accidents are tragic and many are preventable. When one looks at these farm deaths and accidents and how they occurred, I am not sure that more regulations would have prevented them.
All of our children worked on the farm at an early age and were very helpful and productive. Because of this our children grew up learning how to work, the importance of being productive, and how to use their own initiative. We believed in balancing the values of worship, service, work, and play. Our children learned these values working/playing alongside mom and dad on the farm. On a farm it is impossible to draw the line between work and play. The term “child labour” should not apply.
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We do not need more rules and regulations in the farming industry. Most people who write laws and regulations are not from the trenches and are not part of the real world.
In agriculture we have to compete with the Hutterites. The Hutterites simply can’t and won’t follow these regulations.
Farmers need to know that it is in their best interest to have a safe, positive work environment. Groups like the Raymond Farm Safety Centre do a great job in educating farmers about farm safety. Education and common sense, not more regulation, is our solution.
Grant C. Nelson
Stirling, Alberta
