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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFarming '89, 1989-03-22, Page 30B6. FARMING ‘89, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1989. Education, not legislation preferred on safety Increased educational programs and activities for people working on the farm are the preferred means of addressing health and safety issues according to a report released recently by Ontario Agriculture and Food Minister Jack Riddell. The Agricultural Health and Safety Implementation Committee report singled out the Ontario Farm Safety Association as a potential association to deliver educational programs and activities instead of creating a new structure. The report says that with increased resources, the association could be expected to develop and deliver health and safety programs for farmers and farm workers across the province. “Health and safety are impor­ tant concerns for farmers,” said Mr. Riddell, “and I know they will be willing to work with us.” The Occupational Health and Safety Act does not apply to the agricultural sector because of the nature of Ontario’s farming opera­ tions and their particular needs. Since the completion of the report on Health and Safety in Agriculture in Oct. 1985, Mr. Riddell said, many steps have already been taken in the area of health and safety issues on the farm. “In particular, the new Farm Implements Act, 1988, which re­ EVERYTHING FOR THE DO-IT- rz»l 11 '11: ■,,.vXy-. I III MS LET US QUOTE YOU ON YOUR BUILDING NEEDS "COME - SEE - US"INBLYTH, ONT. ILA A A|A||A|f^j£b BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD. MANNlNU b 523-9305 cently became law, includes au­ thority for the supervision of safety measures relating to farm imple­ ments.” Mr. Riddell also mentioned the Pesticides Education Program, which this year is expected to train 10,000 farmers how to handle pesticides safely. Grants for pesticide storage facilities and fencing around man­ ure tanks have been offered through the Ontario Soil Conserva­ tion and Environmental Protection Assistance Program II, Riddell noted. In addition, Mr. Riddell pointed out that $7.2 million worth of safety equipment was purchased by over 8,000 farmers under the Farm Management Safety and Repair Program of 1987-88. He also said that youth working Crop Insurance Act ch The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has been working with the federal government in an effort to initiate changes to the federal Crop Insurance Act. Minister Jack Riddell met re­ cently with federal Agriculture Minister Don Mazankowski and reported that there was “common ground on a lot of the issues.” Riddell reported in the Legisla­ ture that Mazankowski “indicated that the Crop Insurance Act is on farms through ministry summer experience programs have received safety training and information. 4-H Safety Clubs are well-received by over 500 members. Labour Minister Gregory Sor- bara said that he firmly believes education and training combined with effective regulations are the keys to the successful practice of health and safety in all Ontario workplaces. The committee reviewed the recommendations of the Ontario Task Force on Health and Safety in Agriculture, and developed an implementation plan that was pre­ sented to the Ministers of Agricul­ ture and Food and the Ministry of Labour, setting forth 36 recom­ mendations addressing the follow­ ing areas: data collection and analysis, protective devices on farm machinery, farm chemicals, anges coming under review, and I received more or less a favorable response from him that he was prepared to amend the Crop Insurance Act to allow, coverage over the 80 per cent.” Riddell also said he is sure there will be a change in the premium structure. “I have always indicated that I would support picking up a portion of the producers’ premi­ um.” A federal-provincial committee has been working on improving the Federal Crop Insurance Act. I <■ • < -ALLTHIS&MORE •Spruce Lumber •Hardware •Plywoods [Softwood / Hardwood Veneers] •Insulation •Carpets •Pressure Treated [Poles & Planks] •Panelling •Cupboards •Styrofoam CHECKOUTOUR SPORTING GOODS DEPARTMENT Baseball equipment, Darts, Dart Boards, Sweatshirts, Cooper equipment. farm buildings/structures, farm vehicles on public roads and human factors. The Implementation Committee was co-chaired by Agriculture and Food Assistant Deputy Minister Clare Rennie and the then Ministry of Labour Assistant Deputy Mini­ ster Peter Sadlier-Brown. It was AUTO & FARM REPAIR OWNER:CREGDUCK *carom„g 357-3572 •Licenced Mechanic n . •Safety Inspections IjClffTCLVC •Farm Equipment Tune-up •Small Engine Repairs •Licenced body repair & painting •Highway Tractor Repairs Blue building on Hwy. 4 North of Belgrave composed of seven members: Howard Burkholder, George Underwood, Deborah Whale repre­ senting farmers; Bob Hofstetter and Tina Norry representing farm workers; Ross McKinnell represen­ ting the farm machinery industry, and Tom Sawyer representing the agricultural chemical industry.