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
Take extra steps to keep farm workers safe during COVID-19
Add biosecurity practices, or ramp up the ones you already employ
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
What does the new farm safety law mean on your farm?
There are more options under Farm Freedom and Safety Act but farm employers have the same basic obligations
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Farm Freedom and Safety Act doesn’t give producers freedom from making sure their employees make it home safe and sound at the end of every work day. That’s the gist of a new campaign by AgSafe Alberta, which is trying to correct a misconception that Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws don’t apply to […] Read more
Alberta’s new farm safety act gets warm response
New act exempts most Alberta farms from workplace rules, removes right to unionize
Reading Time: 3 minutes There were no surprises when the United Conservative government unveiled its new farm workplace safety legislation — and that’s one of the things that farm leaders like about it. “It’s making farming easier,” Alberta Canola chair John Guelly said in contrasting the new legislation with the contentious version brought in by the previous NDP government. […] Read more
Farm safety program for youth receives funding
Reading Time: < 1 minute A $10,000 grant from Corteva Agriscience will support the development and delivery of Ag for Life’s Safety on the Farm for Youth module. The interactive online course can be used in the classroom to teach students how to build a personalized farm safety plan while learning safety tactics. The plan will be available in both […] Read more
Alberta ag minister says he got the message on workplace safety laws
Devin Dreeshen says new workplace safety law will have ‘have some common sense attached to it’
Reading Time: 4 minutes He made 25 stops across the province, met with more than 1,000 farmers, put over 8,000 kilometres on the truck and drank countless cups of coffee. Devin Dreeshen has been a busy man during his first summer as provincial agriculture minister and he’s promising a replacement workplace safety law is introduced this fall. “What we’ve […] Read more
Producers and their farm workers urged to take workplace safety survey
The new government wants views and suggestions before introducing the Farm Freedom and Safety Act
Reading Time: 2 minutes Farmers, ranchers, and their workers are being asked by the provincial government what they would like to see in new farm workplace safety legislation. The United Conservative government says it plans to introduce the Farm Freedom and Safety Act this fall “to put choice back in the hands of farmers and have legislation that reflects […] Read more
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