Reading Time: 3 minutes For “safety geek” Dan Trottier, Bill 6 was the shot in the arm that the agriculture industry needed to start the conversation about farm safety. “Bill 6 raised awareness about safety, and now that we’ve got some awareness, we have the opportunity for extension on how to do safety on the farm,” said Trottier, owner […] Read more
Bill 6 jump-starts important conversations about farm safety
The FarmSafe program offers a step-by-step guide to create a safety plan tailored to your farm
How to keep your kids safe on the farm
Reading Time: < 1 minute The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks is an excellent resource that parents and caregivers can use to guide decisions about what kinds of farming tasks are age appropriate. These guidelines are intended for children and youth between the ages of seven to 16 and are based on childhood development, agricultural practices, principles of […] Read more
Farm families should sign a farm safety contract
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is urging farm families to write a “farm safety contract” this year. “Instead of yelling or lecturing farm kids about safety, why not work together to write down the safety rules for your farm?” says the organization, which has a two-page sample contract at agsafetyweek.ca. But before signing the […] Read more
FarmSafe workshops in March
Producers can register by visiting crop commission websites
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission, Alberta Barley, Alberta Canola Producers Commission and Alberta Pulse Growers Commission will host a series of FarmSafe workshops throughout Alberta this March. The free, one-day workshops will provide training and educational manuals to help farmers develop a complete health and safety management system tailored to their unique operation. “These FarmSafe workshops […] Read more
Bill 6 controversy flares again
The province plans to hand-pick who it will consult with
Reading Time: 2 minutes A coalition of Alberta farm groups wants the provincial government to put the brakes on its proposed Bill 6 consultation model. In mid-February, the province held a two-week nomination process to gather names for six separate working groups to consult on Bill 6, the controversial Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. The problem […] Read more
Because I love you
Two widows discuss how forward planning helped their families carry on following the farm accidents that claimed their husbands
Reading Time: 21 minutes Jay Fox and Brian Van Camp both died in farm accidents involving loaders right before Christmas, leaving their families in shock and still trying to run their farms. Jay and Angie were Outstanding Young farmers in Manitoba and leaders in the cattle industry. Brian and Maggie were also leaders in their community and agriculture. Here’s […] Read more
Ag minister vows to listen to farm groups
Groups create ‘historic collaboration’ to fight for sensible workplace rules
Reading Time: 3 minutes After ramming through new farm safety legislation at year’s end, the provincial government seems to have changed its tune. “I want to be clear right now — we will be taking the time necessary to make sure we get this right,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier said at the Alberta Federation of Agriculture annual […] Read more
Workplace safety officers have ‘serious powers’
They include the right to compel statements, inspect what they want, and take samples without a warrant
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta farmers are right to be worried about how the industry’s new health and safety legislation will be enforced. “Officers have some broad, sweeping powers,” said David Myrol, a lawyer at McLennan Ross LLP who specializes in occupational health and safety (OHS) law. “When the OHS officer comes knocking at the door, the playing field […] Read more
Bill 6 is law — now we need a plan to move forward
Designing practical workplace rules is a complex process that will take time, but farm groups will advocate on behalf of their members
Reading Time: 3 minutes Alberta Barley is very disappointed that the Government of Alberta chose to force the passage of the amended Bill 6 through the legislature on Dec. 10. The voice of farmers was consistent regarding the lack of consultation and especially the lack of clarity about how the bill would impact farmers and ranchers across the province. […] Read more
Raising awareness about grain entrapment
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Canola Producers Commission and its Prairie counterparts have joined the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to raise awareness of the threat of grain entrapment. “It is imperative that farm safety remain a top priority for our industry,” said Stuart Holmen, an ACPC director and producer from Paradise Valley. “We all feel strongly that educational […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
