The Rural Voice, 2006-07, Page 51Woodlot
Management
conditions. Trees that are under
stress sometimes produce what is
known as a distress crop of seed.
Producing a heavy seed crop and
devoting so much energy into seed
production can also cause stress and
has been known to result in some
crown dieback. It will be interesting
to monitor tree vigour in the next
year or so to see if any impacts of the
dry weather or heavy seed crop
become apparent.
If you have questions about
woodlot management or ideas for
topics you would like to see covered
in a future column, please contact
Steve Bowers at 519-482-3661 or
steve.bowers@mnr.gov.on.ca.
The Rural Voice
welcomes your opinions for our
Feedback letters to the editor
column.
Mail to: The Rural Voice,
PO Box 429, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0
1
BERNIE McGLYNN
LUMBER LTD.
BUYER OF HARDWOOD BUSHLOTS
Wholesaler - Hardwood Lumber
Box 385, R.R. 2,
Wingham, Ont NOG 2W0
BERNIE McGL YNN
PWFax (519) 357.1430
.�� SAWMILL
R.R. #5, Mildmay, Ont.
(519) 367.5789
EXCEPTIONALLY SAFE
EFFICIENT - DURABLE CHIMNEY
CHIMTEKM
"Help minimize pollution"
SAFETY - SAVE SSS - burn less solid fuel!
Masons - home owners, for info please contact
I-BI.ROI. NI \q1\10 (HI\I\I 1 l PI'L1
Line 67 # 4922, R.R. #2,
Milverton, ON NOK IMO
Voice Mail 519-595-4919
or Frank at 519-699-4092
AgriTech
Coming in loud and clear
Janice
Becker is a
computer
enthusiast
and
journalist
living near
Walton, ON.
In a continuation of the theme
begun last month, I thought I would
discuss another area of health
consideration which not only affects
farmers and on-site labourers
directly, but also may be an irritant to
neighbours. The issue is noise.
Obviously, the most important
aspect of noise is the long-term
impact excessive noise may have on
those on the farm. Noise control is
discussed in an OMAFRA article,
www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engin
eer/facts/96-033.htm.
While it is understood that farming
operations include a certain level of
noise, OMAFRA suggests that this
may impede the "enjoyment of
property" for neighbours, citing
interruptions during evening or
normal sleep hours. The loss of sleep
may affect health.
By controlling noise, it will not
only alleviate any potential problems
with neighbours, but will also reduce
the risk of hearing loss for the farmer.
OMAFRA suggests three goals for
noise control measures, the most
important being to protect against
hearing damage. The others are for a
quieter work place and annoyance
avoidance.
As a reference, a grain dryer
produces 90 decibels at one metre
(Decibel levels decreases by six dB
for every doubling of the distance a
listener is removed); a tractor under
load, 100 dB; and a chainsaw, 110.
Even brief exposure to a sound over
120 dB can result in short-term
hearing loss. P.E.I. Farm Health and
Safety states that no one should work
in an environment for eight hours a
day that consistently has a decibel
level over 85.
The OMAFRA article lists several
methods for noise reduction for
various circumstances, including
bird -scaring equipment, livestock
ventilation fans and greenhouses. For
equipment operators to safeguard
against hearing loss, adequate
protection is a wise choice. This does
not only apply to those driving the
largest field tractor, but also for those
cutting grass with a riding mower.
And it is not only vehicles that
pose a threat. The P.E.I. Farm Health
and Safety site at www.peifa.ca/farm-
safety/health/ hearing.html, states
feed mills, ventilation fans, pumps
and even the animals themselves, are
risk factors. Sows can produce 95dB
(10 times louder than 85 dB) while
being fed and the handling of piglets
can resulting in noise levels ranging
from 80 to 105 dB. The grinding of
feed is 90 to 98 dB.
While a low-pitched drone can be
irritating, it is prolonged exposure to
high-pitched sounds that are more
likely to cause hearing damage. Just a
few of the signs to look for is ringing
in the ears, muffled sounds and an
inability to hear high-pitched noises.
Protection against hearing loss is
important not only for that fact alone,
but because decreased hearing results
in other types of farm incidents
because warning sounds are
inaudible. Other sites to check into
for information are
www.farmsafety.ca/fact-
sheets/NOISE.PDF or The B. C.
Farm and Ranch Safety and Health
Association at www.cher.ubc.ca/
PDFs/FASHAFinalRevised.pdf Most
government and industry websites
also contain helpful material. Many
of these articles are in Adobe Acrobat
so ensure your program is current.
Also remember that The Farm
Practices Protection Act protects
farmers from unreasonable
complaints about noise.
Farming can be a noisy business,
but those sounds are ones we should
all be glad we hear. And just so my
neighbours know, I have no
complaints.
Contact me at jlbecker@wightman.ca
or through The Rural Voice office.0
JULY 2006 47