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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2004. PAGE A-5.
On the farm
Tips for workplace safety and wellness
Agriculture has long been one of
the most dangerous industries in
Canada. Broadly speaking, two out
of three farm fatalities (60.2 per
cent) tend to be the owner-operator.
The remaining farm fatalities tend to
be: a child of the owner-operator
(15.0 per cent); a hired worker (11.6
per cent); a relative - perhaps a
brother or parent (8.2 per cent); or
the owner-operator's spouse (2.9 per
cent), with the remaining (2.1 per
cent) being other visitors, according
to the Canadian Agricultural Injury
Surveillance Program.
These are shocking statistics that
demonstrate the importance of
making workplace health and safety
part of the overall business strategy
for every farm and ranch. It is
important to realize farm safety is a
choice, not an act of fate. One of the
critical aspects of agricultural
hazards is that they are almost
always predictable; and if something
is predictable, it is also preven-.
table.
With this in mind, all workers -
whether hired or family - need to be
informed and trained about safe
choices on the farm. It's up to the
owner-operator to make sure this
training happens.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. As owner-operator you must lead
the way by showing that safety is a
On call
As the new president of the Huron County Beef Producers,
Glen Walker has been kept busy talking to concerned
farmers over the BSE crisis. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Review suggests collaboration
•Th'ilifs a suggestion that makes
sense 'to Walker. "They have been
watching closely what we have been
doing. Our science is better than
their's and our programs for beef
improvement are more advanced.
We're ahead of them on the
idCritification process. Our system..
may not be perfect, but it's better
than in the U.S."
That system has been in the works
for years. "The idea is that regardless
of the size. of the animal, the quality
and flavour be consistent. That is
what we've been working for."
All the science in the world
doesn't seem to help now, however.
February, 2003. Walker sold his
cattle at an average of 1,300 pounds
for which he would receive about
$1,505. For the same month in 2004
a I,337-pound animal was hringing
in $1,143.93.
Continued from A-4
Canada until the present case of BSE
"is thoroughly reviewed."
"We don't need people standing up
and making comments like that."-
In contrast the story went on to say
that "an international review of the
U.S. handling of the BSE case
recommended close collaboration
beo,ve,e'n Canada, U.S.
And while corn was down this past
February, to $133.84 per ton
compared to the February 2003 price
of $146,44, concentrate is up from
$350 to $395.
"In other words for every 100 head
of cattle, I lose $36,100."
"As long as you can keep cash
flow going, you can survive. But
how do you _survive.when .you're not
getting the money."
If, as Walker suspects, farmers call
it quits, the cost of beef for
consumers will eventually rise.
"Fifty per cent of the number (of
producers) we have now, will not
likely meet the demand."
"I would like that border open
tomorrow. But for now I can only do
the best I can for the producers,
taking their concerns to OCA and
representing them."
Some good news did come last
month with the announcement that
cull/calf operators would be
compensated for the animals they
have that are over 30 months. it's
not doing anything about the fat
cows," said Walker, "but it's good
news."
Yet even if the border were to open
it may be too late for some.
"Recovery will be a long, long time.
Some may never get over it."
priority on your farm. Always set a into action by providing education help you gauge what is working
good example of safe practices. As and awareness to workers through and what is not, to better prepare
you are doing various jobs explain skill building and training, and by you and your farm workers for
the dangers- and why things are investing the time and resources to safety and wellness on your
done in a particular way to make make the necessary safety farm.
the situation safer. Encourage improvements in your work- The Canadian Federation of
workers to ask questions. place. Agriculture along with the Farm
2. Get the information you need
7. Safety and workplace wellness is Credit Canada, the Canadian
from a credible source. If you need an ongoing challenge. Always Agricultural Safety Association, and
to your local fire department. If you and improvement for both short-
information on fire prevention, go
know that there is room for change Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
want to remind Canad1an farmers
need information on welding term and long-term goals. A and ranchers that "Farm Safety
safety, take a course, read a book or seasonal review of your audit will Means Farm Safely".
go on the internet to get more
information. If you need
information on farm safely, visit
websites: www.cfa-fca.ca or
www.casa-acsa.ca
3. Acknowledge and specify your
current safety practices to all
workers and clearly indicate the
expectation for worker compliance.
Simply state - and always show by
example - the safe practices
expected. like blocking wheels on
wagons, turning machinery
completely off before working on
problems, never allowing extra
riders, and telling someone where
you will be working and what time
you expect to be back.
4. Likewise, ask workers if they see
hazards on your farm that you have
not noticed. Recognize their
contribution to your farm's safety
by fixing the hazard if possible, or
by formulating a safety plan on
how you and your workers will
deal with this hazard.
5. Do a farm safety audit on your
farm. There are many farm safety
audit resources available on the
internet by doing a Canadian
Google search of Farm Safety
Audit or visit the CASA website at:
www.casa-acsa.ca
6. Put your new farm safety plan
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