The Rural Voice, 1979-11, Page 32Advice on Farming
Farming and the new
occupational safety bill
It is anticipated that new Ontario
legislation designed to set health and
safety standards for all industries will be
declared this fall. Many occupational
groups, including primary agriculture, will
be exempt from the Act's initial regu-
lations. The farming industry will be
allowed to come under Bill 70's occu-
pational health and safety standards on a
gradual, step-by-step basis.
Peter Fisher, president of Ontario's
Farm Safety Association (FSA), has
followed the progress of the health and
safety legislation for the past three years.
In November of 1977, he was appointed as
agriculture's representative on the Advis-
ory Council on Occupational Health and
Occupational Safety. This body reports to
the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Its
membership includes six labour represent-
atives, six management representatives,
and six members at -large; Fisher is
included in the latter group.
"It is the Council's responsibility to
suggest areas where there is need for
expansion of coverage under Bill 70, and
make sure the Ministry of Labour
understands the potential impact of
regulations on a particular industry,"
explains the FSA president. "For example,
pesticides and certain pieces of farm
machinery may be very hazardous, but
these items are essential to modern
fa -ming methods. Such facts must be
recognized when regulations are estab-
lished."
Fisher says that development work on
specific regulations for agriculture will
begin once Bill 70 becomes law. He is
hopeful that such regulations will be
introduced in stages, and only as quickly as
the agricultural community can accept
them.
"There will be opportunity for input
from all concerned parties before any
regulations are established," he adds.
"Health and safety regulations may force a
change in attitude on the part of some
farmers, but will not create undue expense
or inconvenience. Some producers will
have to change their methods of operation,
but for many, the new regulations will
simply be viewed as another step toward
better farm management."
Initial regulations affecting agriculture
PG. 30 THE
will likely include a requirement for
roll-over protection on tractors operated by
farm employees; specifications for guard-
ing and shielding of farm equipment; and
standards for use of personal protective
equipment. Fisher is hopeful that regu-
lations pertaining to farm machinery can
be enforced by the Ontario Farm Mach-
inery Board.
"There are problems of definition," he
explains. "Where a farm worker is
involved, regulations should probably be
enforced by the Ministry of Labour. In the
case of a self-employed farmer, enforce-
ment should be left to the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food. We even get into
the problem of defining 'Who is a farmer?'
My main concern is that we can avoid the
uncertainty and duplication of authority
that has plagued the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration's regulations
for U.S. farm operations."
Fisher says the Ontario Ministry of
Labour has stated that Bill 70 will be
largely self-regulating. In other words,
farmers need not be concerned with the
prospect of constant intrusion by enforce-
ment officers.
Ag colleges have
enrolment surge
Ontario ag colleges are proving as
popular as Florida resorts in the middle of
January.
This year, enrolment at the colleges has
surged, stretching some facilities beyond
limits. The province's four colleges of
agricultural technology and the Ontario
Agricultural College at Guelph are having
to make do with temporary facilities and
some improved, although currently in-
adequate, expansions.
Last spring the Ontario Fe deration of
Agriculture, concerned about the situation
passed a resolution asking then Agri-
cu!ture Minister William Newman to take
some action.
Mr. Newman citied government
spending restraints as the reason for a lack
of quick action in the situation.
He noted then that construction is slated
for campuses at both Centralia and New
Liskeard and that portable classrooms are
RURAL VOICE/NOVEMBER 1979
in use until permanent structures can be
built.
The number of students reached a record
in two-year diploma classes with an
enrollment of 1,384 students, in the
1978-19 school year.
Last June, 511 students graduated. In
the past decade at OAC, graduating
classes have doubled.
Lorne Henderson, Ontario's new
minister of agriculture, is aware of
classroom conditions and has
commissioned a study of rural secondary
schools to determine how many grade nine
students now plan on attending
agricultural colleges.
Mr. Henderson said secondary school
enrolment is down in his home county,
Lambton, and he asks how long colleges
will be crowded.
Silo gas detectors
not foolproof: FSA
When asked about silos, most farmers
agree that their greatest fear is silo gas.
That was the finding of a survey by the
Farm Safety Association of Ontario.
The concern is justified, according to
Larry Swinn, association publicity co-
ordinator.
High concentrations of silo gas can kill
people and animals in seconds. Since 1962,
nine people have died from exposure to silo
gas. Lower concentrations irritate the eyes,
throat and lungs. Respiratory problems,
including chemical pneumonia, often occur
a few hours after exposure.
"Silo gas is not a new problem to
Ontario," says Mr. Swinn. "However, the
incidence has increased with the advent of
covered tower silos."
Mr. Swinn believes that the expanding
corn belt also contributes to the increased
incidence. In some of the less favourable
growing areas, farmers must harvest
immature corn because of the short
growing season. The higher levels of
nitrates in immature plants is believed to
influence the production of silo gas.
Silo gas is a mixture of gases, primarily
nitrogen dioxide, formed during the
fermentation process in the silo. The
production of silo gas is influenced by a
variety of factors including weather,
temperature and the state of the crop.
"In high concentrations, the gas appears
reddish or yellowish -brown and has a
bleachy odor," says Mr. Swinn. "But you
can't count on the color or smell as a
warning sign. In low concentrations, this
gas can be colorless and odorless."
Although silo gas detectors are available
commercially, farmers are cautioned that
even these are not foolproof.