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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-03-24, Page 7You ulrs,yp tfor i OE IG of ties 24. ai ottings from Queen'; Park �lll won -Middlesex MPP the Bills granted sent during the last fthe Legislature was "Employees' Health fety Act", which, into force key endations of the ommission on the d Safety of Workers The provisions so far include ment within a single , the Ministry of of all responsibility pational health ard egislation. Further in progress to ex - application of the at the core of the include industrial and construction nd to produce in a ensive omnibus bill ational health code ng men and women t (Atari°. s. In this connection, there has been, considerable discussion as to wbether occupational health and Safety standards for the agricultural industry should be established by legislation. The Minister of Labour spoke on this matter recently, asking whether there is a need°'for occupational health `and safety standards in the agricultural industry, whether legislation can fulfill that need, .and whether legislation, if introduced, would be successful in achieving its goal. Workmen's Compensation Board rates 943 and 953, which cover most segments of agriculture, indicate the need for a stronger effort to create a safe and healthy agricultural workplace. In these categories, the number of deaths caused by accidents increased by 32 percent from 1975 to 1976 - from 34 to 45. The c primary cause of death is the tractod ., roll-over, which caused one out of three agricultural fatalities. Legislated safety standards alone cannot improve the situation, and must be combined with a responsible attitude on the .part of both, employees and employers. In a brief to the Ministry of Labour, the Farm Safety Association indicated that it is "in accord and agrees with the initiative and formulation of occupational safety and health legislation that would protect agricultural workers in Ontario". It is understood that the leaders of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association also support the concept. However, both associations have reser, vations. Some people argue that the agricultural industry " is unique and that standards applicable to manufacturing, nts construction or mining may not be appropriate. However, standards for mining Are not necessarily appropriate for the construction" industry. The fact that standards must be set for each industry, taking into account the special characteristics of that industry, does not mean that separate legislation is required. Agriculture's specific problems could be accommodated in a general Act with appropriate regulations. Time pressures must be taken into account with respect to the agriculture industry, because delays in harvesting, .for any reason, could result in massive financial losses- No doubt, there will be concern lest an entire harvesting operation might be disrupted by one or more workers who believe the wnrknlaep to he iincafe or ear from you unhealthy. While no-one would deny the agricultural worker a right and respon- sibility available to con- struction, industrial or mining workers, the agricultural employer's financial investment and right CO earn na fair income must he protected. As the Minister of Labour has pointed out, there are a number of unanswered questions. Should oc- cupational health and safety legislation 'cover the entire agricultural industry, or only the 22000 or more employers now contributing to the W.C.W.? Should legislation be phased in over one year, five or ten? I should be very interested to hear your views on this subject of protection for agricultural workers. There is, of course, a program to creation Council plans programs regular monthly of the Goderich Recreation Council on March Wlhose g were Grant chairman; Joe secretary; Gerry rry Bornath, Hazel Arnold Bell, Doug arion Powell. s of the several activities of the. township"were received: Grant Sterling reported on the very successful township dance held March 12th at the White Carnation with all tickets sold. As is the usual custom, Goderich Township products were offered as door and spot prizes - this time being our local maple syrup, compliments of the coun- cilmen. Prize winners were Mr. and Mrs. Don Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. N. Daer, Mr. Don McCabe, Mrs. Reg Footwinkler, and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Barter. Gerry. Ginn reported that due to some faulty com- munications the February skating party had to be cancelled: The ice has now disappeared in Bayfield arena so there will be no rescheduling of skating parties for this season. A lively discussion washeld regarding the clean-up and development for the township parks with the benefits of government grants called Culture and Recreation Experience '77 Project for Summer Employment and also the Sweep Programs. The new proposed township cl�irnsPC' in power too Ion er to charges that New Democratic ppet,. being used to the rural vote in Gordon Hill of Varna one thing to say: forced me into his decision (to run DP party in Mid - :cling in the next the matter a'lot of and after ,„,taU ing-' number of friends in the rural field and Barz ean's rs list arz, son of Rev. and rvin L. Barz of 22 t Drive West in was among 19 37 sophomores and IA, who achieved recognition' at allege, Ann Arbor by making the t, for the winter to qualify for the t a student must 45 grade point ot better on a four 'a graduate of St. >gh School at St. ichigan and his Presently pastor at the Water Lutheran oderich. others that are not, made my decision.” Hill, who stepped down as president of the , Ontario Federation of Agriculture last December, said he was approached by NDP leader Stephen Lewis, but only decided to get involved in politics after finishing his involvement with the federation. As ;;for Liberal and din servative accusations. that Hill will fail to attract the rural vote because he will represent the NDP, who are known for socialistic ideas, he said he is concerned over the term 'socialism'. "I look at myself as being a capitalist and don't want it any other way," he told the News -Record, Wednesday. "I believe that skill, hard work, enterprise and initiative should be rewarded, -and ifathat's socialistic, then I'm a socialist." The 50 year-pld Varna farmer said his decision to join the ranks of the NDP was based in part that the party had supported the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers' Union in their fight against the government's farm in- come stabilization program. "We had suggested a program be set up for far- mers who failed to get a decent price on their products due to the market con- ditions," Hill said. thing London? The program would award farmers an average price between the fair and actual prices. "The legislation that was passed was inadequate, gave' the - farmers no bargaining role in developing the plan, and was controlled by the government, with farmers not given much to say," he said. • '"'The 'N'DP's ;support' of the farm organizations had some effect on his decision to run as a party nominee but by no means the only one. He cited the property tax issue as another. "Since 1949, the govern- ment has promised to correct the inadequacy of the farm tax system," Hill said, but so far matters haven't been really improved. The Progressive Con- servatives have been in power too long and need to play an opposition role he said, adding, that he hoped to contribute to its downfall by agreeing to run in the next election. ++ A new version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" also gives the price,per pound. crest designed by Mr. A.B. Van Ende, local artist, using ideas from the winners of the children's crest contest, was presented. It was moved by Hazel McCreath and seconded by Gerry Bornath that the crest be suggested to the township council to be received and accepted as the official crest., Marion Powell . offered to take the crest and make the proper arrangements for making the crest badges, letterheads etc. The crest will feature a tractor on the land with a setting sun over the lake on the horizon, all enclosed- in the unique shape of an apple - all representative of life in Goderich Township. Every resident should feel proud to wear this crest on his or her jacket. Softball for '77 was discussed and the secretary was asked to send for registration forms. Homeowners Contractors SAVE ENERGY Loose Blown Insulation cellulose fibre - FREE ESTIMATES CHECK AND COMPARE PRICES Phone Scott Pearson GODERICH INSULATION 524-6844 (Call Collect) LANDSCAPING NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE 166 BENNETT ST. E. GODERICH mg a trip to, London in the near future? of drop into City Centre Mall and see the; ange of stores and services. You'll enjoy ng in our' comfortable fully carpeted You'll find two floors of something a little ent. Jxplore the fine merchandise from ver the world, have dinner in the dully decorated'; Terrace Cafe dining or one of the restaurants in the adjacent ay Inn, City Centre Tower. City Centre has a live theatre called Centre Stage. one of their productions. If you have gin; don't let them miss Canada's only en's Museum. It's located,in City Centre - Well. When in London make sure you ity Centre Mall, it's, the centre of it all. Parking Thursday and Friday Evenings between 6 and 9 p.m. in the City Centre Underground lot. Entrance off f Iting St,. • EVERY TUESDAY FOR THE NEXT 2 TUESDAYS HOUSEPLANT TO EACH LADY "FREE/. SHOPPER, NO PURCHASE NECESSARY HANGING POTS PLANTERS BEADED HANGERS MACRAME HANGERS SELECTION OF ASSORTED'PLANTERS & CERAMIC POTS WIDE RANGE OF CLAY POTS 3" - 14" GARDEN SEED NOW AVAILABLE SPRING .BULBS HAVE JUST ARRIVED We also setve you at YWAY ,MARKET & NURSERY r . IIWY. ,214NORTH OF GODERICH ',TOME/ IN AND BROWSE' AROUND" 4 is GODERiPHT alert people to the potential hazards of chemicals and physical agent's and to educate the agricultural worker about correct use. However, possiblylegislative action shouldbe considered, acid this is a matter which needs to be discussed fully by the agricultural community. To date the Labour Safety Council has been the primary formal channel through which the advice of the private sector is obtained. This Council is to be recon- stituted and expander' to reflect new responsibilities in the occupational health field. The final structure of the' new advisory body has, as yet, not been established. The Minister of Labour has in- dicated that the agricultural community should have a permanent voting delegate on the advisory body. This representative would bring to the policy-making process expert knowledge of the unique situations which confront agricultural worker and employer. This entire question of occupational health and safety is very important, In the last analysis, every in- dividual has a responsibility in this respect. However, legislation can do much to improve health' and safety standards. To what extent and in what manner this can be done for the agricultural industry is a matter of con- cern to us all. - A1' COMING: * Great Imposters' The most novel act in Canada! Four female im- *. personators — comedy and music. Featuring im- personations of such entertainers as Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Mama Cass, etc. ELM HAVEN MOTOR HOTEL CLINTON ***************4-****** * SPR R /7 twak\Qta.s dor tt4\-al is into each life, some rain must fall. Be ready for anything .. . look great in a coat that doesn't care. THE SQUARE GODERICH OPEN WEDNESDAY MORNINGS OPEN FRIDAY NIGHT TIL ! PAL fi