The Rural Voice, 2002-10, Page 46Ag News
Questioner wonders why towns not
charge for pollutiing discharges
Continued from page 41
a creek would be prosecuted but
municipal waste treatment plants are
allowed to by-pass treatment in cases
of heavy rains and discharge
untreated sewage into waterways. "Is
that going to be addressed?" he
asked.
Russ Danbrook, Perth County pork
producer said it was difficult to judge
the effectiveness of the two
regulations being debated without
seeing how they fit into later
regulations. He worried about the
thought that larger animal units held
more potential danger. "I don't think
I'm any less responsible today as a
Category 3 than I was as a Category
1," he said.
Stan Eby representing the Bruce
County Cattlemen's Association said
the first two regulations make it seem
like the Manure Act not the Nutrient
Management Act. "Hopefully these
regulations will improve water
quality," he said.
Perhaps Jayne Dietrich, president
of the Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture summed up the hopes of
most of the farmers present. "Please
make the paperwork as painless as
possible."0
Ontario still
sending hay west
Ontario farmers continue to
donate hay to be shipped west to
help drought -stricken prairie cattle
and sheep producers.
As of September 17, 110,723
large bales have been pledged from
1,620 producers. Some 222 rail cars
carrying about 16,200 bales have
arrived at their destinations in
Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Another 70 rail cars carrying more
than 5.000 bales were in transit.0
For everyone with an interest in farming and the environment
October 16 - 10:00 am -2:30 pm
Gencor Meeting Room
5653 Hwy 6 N.
RR5 Guelph N1H 6J2
Contact:
Charlotte McCallum
Ph: 519-837-1620
Fax: 519-824-1835
mccallum@christianfarmers.org
Registration FREE
Lunch & refreshments
a
CFFO
project
42 THE RURAL VOICE
Advice
Drought makes
silo gas more
deadly
An Ontario farmer was recently
killed from contact with deadly
manure gases. In recent years there
have been a number of deaths as well
as other instances of individuals who
narrowly escaped with their lives
after entering manure storages or
silos containing potentially deadly
gases.
Due to the extreme drought this
summer the potential is great for the
formation of deadly silo gases. This
has prompted the Farm Safety
Association to issue a warning about
entry into these areas. Silos, manure
pits and spreader tanks, grain bins
and wagons, as well as other areas
where entry and exit may be difficult
are considered confined spaces.
The following confined space
entry procedures should be followed:
1. Test the atmosphere for oxygen
and for levels of toxic and explosive
gases. If you cannot test, always
assume that the atmosphere is
dangerous.
2. If a dangerous atmosphere exists,
you must wear a self-contained
breathing apparatus. Ventilate the
area as thoroughly as possible before
entry.
3. All mechanical equipment must be
locked out.
4. Use the "buddy" system and wear
a lifeline. Sufficient equipment and
manpower must be available. A third
person should be on hand to summon
assistance, if needed.
5. Establish how you will be
communicating before entering the
confined space. People on the
outside must understand the meaning
of verbal signals, hand gestures or
tugging the line signals.
6. Never re-enter a confined space
without retesting and venting the
area.
Signs should be posted on manure
storage facilities and silos to warn of
the dangers. These are available from
the Farm Safety Association offices
in Guelph. For more detailed
information on silo and manure
gases visit the Farm Safety web site
at <http://www.farmsafety.ca