Reading Time: < 1 minute A new program is offering to help farm and agribusiness employers as well as food processors with the cost of pandemic-related training and equipment. The Agriculture Training Support Program “is intended to offset costs for COVID-19 safety and training, including the costs for personal protective equipment and to remove any barriers to get Albertans safely […] Read more
Grants available for worker safety training
Add some farm safety education to home schooling
Reading Time: < 1 minute With in-person events cancelled, a program that provides farm safety education for children has launched a new online platform with interactive resources and activities on farm safety. “With children at home due to indefinite school closures, we recognize that more kids will be involved in activities on the farm while, at the same time, they […] Read more
Don’t try to ‘play the odds’ this growing season
Many farmers still taking unnecessary risks, says Alberta Vehicle Extrication Association chair
Reading Time: 2 minutes Spring is a time of hope and Randy Schmitz’s hope is that Alberta farmers will slow down a little as they begin a new growing season. Rollovers, run-overs, and being pinned or struck by a machine component are the leading causes of agriculture-related injuries and fatalities, said Schmitz, chairman of the Alberta Vehicle Extrication Association. […] Read more
Add COVID-19 to your safety plan for spring seeding
More cleaning and less sharing of equipment are sensible moves these days
Reading Time: 2 minutes Plan how to stay safe while seeding during COVID-19. Start, of course, by minimizing contact, said Jody Wacowich, executive director of AgSafe Alberta. “If you have a large group, maybe have them come at different points during the morning, so they’re not all together,” she said. But having safety conversations, in one form or another, […] Read more
Alberta farm walking the walk on safety
Stamp Seeds has seen major growth and that’s prompted family to ‘put that culture of safety up front’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Much has changed at Stamp Seeds since it was founded by Richard and Marian Stamp more than 40 years ago. “We have a pretty dynamic farm — there’s never a day that goes by without something exciting happening,” said Richard. “But that is also why it’s been important to have a culture of safety on […] Read more
Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19
Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ
Farmers concerned about the spread of COVID-19 can learn from the hog sector on the matter of protecting themselves and their workers, says a leading expert on biosecurity in the pork industry. “This is the world of biosecurity that the swine industry deals with on a daily basis,” said Dr. Egan Brockhoff, veterinarian counsellor for […] Read more
It was just an average day during harvest — and then there was a scream
Thanks to BeGrainSafe training, first responders were able to avert a tragedy
Reading Time: 3 minutes Grain entrapment happens quickly and is often fatal — but awareness and training can avert a tragedy. That was the case on Nov. 4 in Leamington, Ont. when grain rescue training, the proper equipment, and teamwork all combined to save the life of a 14-year-old girl trapped in corn. It was just a regular fall […] Read more
Don’t just rely on your cellphone when working alone on the farm
Farm Safety Week: Old-school tech, GPS devices and careful planning can come through if your cellphone fails you
Reading Time: 5 minutes Cellphones have made it easier for producers to communicate on the job — especially ones working alone. In the event of an injury, a one-touch emergency cell call can mean the difference between life and death. But as great as cellphones may be, they’re not the be-all and end-all of an on-farm communications plan. Congratulations […] Read more
‘Common sense’ isn’t an alternative to communication
Never stop talking about dangers and safe practices, says safety-minded Alberta producer
Reading Time: 4 minutes A farm, particularly during a busy season, is at best barely controlled chaos, with vehicles, equipment, employees and even kids all competing for the same farmyard real estate. So how do you bring order to that chaos and keep everyone safe? Ask Hanneke Camps and she’ll tell you communication is the key. Although everyone talks […] Read more
Opinion: What does Alberta’s Farm Freedom and Safety Act mean for you?
Insurance, employment standards and OHS compliance are three areas producers need to consider
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers, we get it. Whenever a new agriculture-specific bill is adopted, you rightfully ask, ‘How does this apply to me?’ Rarely are there easy answers, especially when they come in the form of legislation that is long, wordy, and, let’s be honest, not that fun of a read. A recent example of this is the […] Read more
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