Agricultural Safety Week 2019

Serving the Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Brocket

March 13, 2019

Shootin’ the Breeze

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Build safety on your farm before spring planting

By Robert Gobeil for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association As the start of spring draws closer, for many Canadian producers, thoughts turn to the planting of crops and the hope for a productive and successful farming season begins again.

The promise of a new season is an ideal time to do a thorough check of equipment and processes. If you feel you’re running short of time, consider this: time is a resource we seem to have plenty of when times are slow, and then becomes invaluable as work demands increase.

Being proactive checking equipment and processes before planting is essential. Taking the time to implement preseason checklists will pay off in the end by helping reduce the chance of breakdowns and downtime during one of the very busiest parts of the year. As an added bonus, using checklists as a part of your safety management system shows your farm does its due diligence.

There are plenty of checklist templates available, or they can be created from scratch.

The choice is yours. Check out casa-acsa.ca/resources/canadafarmsafe-plan for CASA’s free FarmSafe Plan — including

checklists!

When working with a checklist, begin by asking yourself questions about various equipment and processes. This will give you the tools to identify problems and gives you the opportunity to develop corrective actions to address any issues.

You don’t have to rush and try to fix everything all at once.

Instead, prioritize items based on the chance of occurrence and potential severity if a breakdown occurred.

An operational checklist should also include placing orders for essential supplies, such as seed, crop-protection products, or feed. Since these items often take time to arrive, ordering them in advance means they are readily available when needed.

Another thing to consider on your checklist is purchasing any necessary insurance (home and property, crop, liability, etc.) to protect your operation should an unfortunate and unforeseen event occur. And don’t forget to inspect your fields and pastures for standing water and drainage once the last of the snow has finally melted.

This is also a good time to make sure all of your workers

We keep the agricultural wheels turning with the right size and price for every rancher!

are up to date with training, as well as reminding them about your emergency response plan. If you don’t already have an emergency response plan, now’s the time to develop one.

When it comes to tools and equipment, consider stocking up on parts that often need replacing, such as lights and reflective markings. Remember that some items should be maintained based on the hours of use, so there’s nothing wrong with performing this maintenance ahead of schedule to avoid breakdowns and unexpected repairs when the workload increases.

And while you’re doing maintenance, don’t overlook your safety equipment.

Every checklist should include safety equipment inspections to ensure these items are accessible and working properly if they are needed. This includes fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and eyewash stations, as well as personal protective equipment.

On top of checking your equipment and processes, a facility inspection should be implemented as part of your safety management system.

While this type of assessment needs to be done at regular intervals throughout the year,

it’s worthwhile to begin the process before the start of the season.

Time is our most valuable resource. That’s why taking care to prepare early is essential to having a productive and successful season.

Incorporating preseason checklists will help prevent downtime and help ensure your operation runs smoothly throughout the busy months ahead.

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is held the third week of March each year.

The 2019 campaign, Safe & Strong Farms: Build an AgSafe Canada, takes place March 10 to 16, and is presented by Farm Credit Canada. For more information, visit www. agsafetyweek.ca.

Robert Gobeil is the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s ag health and safety specialist.

Ames’ Insurance We’ve got you covered . . . Now and in the future

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Serving the Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Brocket

March 13, 2019

Building a safe and strong farm for my family

By Bailey Kemery for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Whether in a city or town or on a farm, raising a family is a challenge no matter where you call home.

When raising a family on a farm, the experience isn’t just challenging; it is also incredibly rewarding. But what makes raising kids on a farm so rewarding is also what makes it the most challenging. That’s because raising children on a farm means they grow up where we work.

My husband and I are raising our family on a grain farm in western Saskatchewan. Our farm is located in the heart of a small farming community that is thriving because of the passion of our neighbours and friends.

Our community works together to keep our local community centre flourishing, we raise funds for and support programs like the children’s playschool, and we never hesitate to help each other through tough times. We are thriving because we work together, building each other up and, in turn, our community.

Raising our children on the farm in this community has many advantages. Our children will learn what it feels like to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they will know

want my children to feel or the value of hard work and that experience what I did. So, how nothing comes free. do we do better? I don’t have They will learn that all the answers, but I do know dedication to something will that I cannot fail my children by always yield a return, even if being complacent and blinded by that return is merely the respect frustration. of their family and peers. They’ll I know our strength lies in know where our food comes our family. from, as well as Our family is how to respect the reason my and care for husband and the animals I come home and land at night, and entrusted to us. why we strive They’ll to be and do understand better. We are challenges constantly and victories. communiThey’ll cherish cating about their heritage, where we are, including their Bailey, Tyson and Lila Kemery what we are pioneering and their dog Anara. doing, and grandparents Photo courtesy of Bailey Kemery where the kids and greatare. grandparents.

My I want my children are the reason I wear children to realize that every proper footwear, why I wear my choice they make will affect seatbelt, and why I try to be a everyone else around them. good example. After all, children When we mix our home and mimic what they see, and it’s work lives, there can be many my job to make sure they know unknowns, especially when it about the importance of being comes to concerns about our safe on the farm. children and their safety. That’s There are days when I worry why, at the end of the day, I ask that I won’t be able to protect my myself if we doing everything children forever. However, I hope we reasonably can to keep our that I can give them the courage children safe. to ask for help, to ask questions I survived a childhood farm and to make good choices. injury, and that experience gives I want them to know that me perspective because I never

my husband and I will always support and encourage them. I want them to understand that when they come to us when something breaks or they see something unsafe, we will help and guide them. Above all, I want them to know that risking their safety is never worth hurt pride or hurt feelings.

Building a safe and strong farm means more to me than just making sure we’re using the proper personal protective equipment or running the autosteer correctly. Safety includes all of these practical things, but it’s more than that — safety is also an attitude and a frame of mind.

A safe and strong farm means that my family eats supper together because we’ve made it home safely. It means wildly imaginative games played in the living room. It means my children can lace up their skates.

A safe and strong farm means my children will never feel chronic pain and experience a facial disfigurement or struggle with a disability as I did. It means the continuation and survival of our family farm.

A safe and strong farm is something that my family and I choose to build — for ourselves, our community and our future.

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March 13, 2019

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Best wishes for a safe farming season!

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Network empowers women in agriculture

By Erin Kelly for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association When asked about the importance of empowering women in agriculture, Pam Bailey’s response is simple: “Empowering women is always beneficial in every community, so why should agriculture be any different?”

While strides have been made over the years to improve inclusivity in agriculture, it’s important to build on that momentum. Building women up in agriculture can lead to improved health and safety measures and enhanced decision-making across the industry.

And that’s just what Ag Women Manitoba hopes to contribute to, says Pam, chairwoman and co-founder of the group.

The idea for the group started when Pam participated in a mentorship program for women in agriculture facilitated by the University of Manitoba’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences.

Realizing the benefits of having someone to talk to who has gone through similar experiences, Pam and her mentorship partner worked to launch Ag Women Manitoba, which will mark its first anniversary as a non-profit in March.

With around 40 members already, Pam notes that the supportive response to Ag Women Manitoba is “evidence that people are eager to be involved and be part of something like this.”

“Ag Women Manitoba is not farmer-specific, and it’s not sector-specific. It’s just about women in agriculture and how we can navigate our careers or whatever successes we are aiming for,” explains Pam, who farms with her husband and in-laws in Dacotah, Man., and is also a director with Manitoba Canola Growers.

“Empowering women helps them make their own choices for work, for business and for their families.”

Having an outlet to talk with like-minded individuals can also be beneficial for mental wellness, an issue that has become an increasing concern

in agriculture in recent years.

After polling members about topics to focus on, Pam says, they heard a lot about burnout, loneliness, and isolation, leading the group to make mental health a key priority.

“Mental health is something that really impacts women in agriculture, whether it be low self-esteem ... or isolation if they’re on the farm with three kids and no access to daycare.

[Mental health] ranges in a lot of ways for different people,” says Pam, noting that mental health and other farm safety topics will continue to be incorporated into the group’s areas of focus in the future.

Part of the self-care equation is finding balance. However, that can be a difficult feat for women in agriculture who fulfil multiple roles, which often includes being responsible for the well-being and safety of all family members on the farm.

“It can be hard to do all these different jobs and figure out how to make it work,” Pam explains.

“Sometimes just having the opportunity to talk ... and say ‘I’m struggling’ or ‘I’m not sure I’m doing this right’ can make such a difference. Because you’re not the only one who feels that way.”

Change may not happen overnight, but judging by the phenomenal response the group has received in its first year, it seems safe to say that Ag Women Manitoba is already making a positive impact for its members and the broader agriculture community.

“We have a wonderful diverse agriculture industry,” Pam says.

“There is a place for everyone.”

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Preserving and promoting the history of western agriculture Pam Bailey, chairwoman and co-founder of Ag Women Manitoba, farms with her husband and in-laws in Dacotah, Man., and is also a director with Manitoba Canola Growers.

June 8 – Horse Show and Chuckwagon Supper July 20 – Flower and Quilt Show July 26 - 28 – Annual Show and RCMP Musical Ride Details and complete event schedule at

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March 13, 2019

Serving the Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Brocket

Proper footwear selection an important part of a safe farm

By Robert Gobeil for the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association We all use footwear, but how many of us wear the right type for different tasks?

On the farm, there are many everyday tasks that could result in injuries to feet or ankles if the proper footwear is not used.

Footwear is a key aspect of injury prevention, which is why it’s important to wear the right type to ensure your safety.

Make sure you’re using footwear that meets specific safety standards by always selecting CSA-approved footwear, which can be identified by a green triangle (usually found on the right foot).

When it comes to tasks that involve heavy lifting, safety footwear with a steel or composite toe should be worn any time there’s a chance of your foot being struck by or pinched between objects. And in situations where your foot could be injured by an object falling on top of it, use safety footwear with metatarsal guards on the tongue.

For jobs that involve electrical work, select footwear that has an electrical insulator (dielectric), which will provide resistance against electric shock.

To identify this type of footwear, look for an orange Greek letter omega symbol, which resembles an upside-down horseshoe.

There’s no question that producers work in all kinds of conditions. When working in wet or muddy conditions, rubber boots are an obvious choice for keeping feet dry. It’s a good idea to clean any mud and debris from your boots at the end of the day in order to maintain grip and avoid tracking debris.

You can also prevent slips and falls on wet, oily, snowcovered or icy surfaces by wearing footwear with an anti-slip outsole to maintain maximum traction. Keep in mind that while overshoe attachments (like cleats or crampons) might be useful for icy conditions, they can be hazardous to wear on dry, hard surfaces.

When working on uneven surfaces, select footwear with a tall upper and laces all the way to the top of the boot, which will help to support your ankle and prevent injury from rolling it.

If you have torn or damaged footwear that you think you could get a couple of extra months out of, you might want to think again. Leaky rubber boots don’t just lead to cold, wet feet; they could potentially expose you to chemicals and other hazardous substances.

Rather than take any chances, replace damaged footwear as soon as possible.

Because footwear is such an important part of injury prevention on the farm, these requirements should be listed as mandatory personal protective equipment in the safe-work procedures part of your safety management system. Don’t forget to discuss the footwear requirements for specific jobs with workers during orientation.

Always assess the conditions and potential hazards that you’ll be working in and select the right type of footwear for the job. Wearing the proper footwear will help ensure your safety, which means less risk of injury and more productive work.

Making farming safer for senior producers

By Canadian Agricultural Safety Association In Canada, the face of farming is changing. More primary agricultural producers are women, and, for the first time since 1991, the proportion of farmers under the age of 35 has risen. However, the 2016 agriculture census also found that there were more farmers over age 70 than under 35.

The reality of Canadian agriculture is that older farmers are farming more acres and often farming well into their 70s and 80s.

These older farmers are vital to Canadian agriculture. With years of successful farming under their belts, older farmers offer wisdom, knowledge and experience. However, older farmers are also at risk for injury.

Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting statistics show that farmers over the age of 60 have a higher-than-average fatality rate.

In fact, farmers 80 and older have the highest fatality rate of any age group.

As we age, our bodies change.

Our senses of smell, vision, hearing and touch are likely to experience some decrease in sensitivity. Health concerns like arthritis, low-back pain and respiratory conditions can affect a person’s ability to farm safely.

Aging is not the only factor that can have an impact. Other factors like disease, lifestyle and medication use can also influence a person’s capability to farm safely.

However, these factors don’t mean that a senior farmer is destined for a farm injury. Working smarter, not harder, is a key factor in keeping seniors safe. At any age — whether a young worker, an experienced producer or a senior farmer — working safely means identifying risks and potential hazards and developing a plan to

lessen the risk of injury.

Before undertaking a task, use a critical eye and take a close look at the job. Break down the job into the tasks required and determine the potential hazards and risks associated with each of them.

Determine what it would take to eliminate or control the hazards and make the changes. It could be a simple as using personal protective equipment or finding the proper tool for the job.

Next, think about the minimum ability to safely perform the task.

Do you have the ability to do the task?

Also, think about your risk factors. For example, if the task requires lifting, do you have the ability to lift the required weight without risking injury?

Remember, there are often considerable differences among individuals. Each individual should assess their capabilities based on their own circumstances.

Be realistic about your capabilities. Working within your abilities will set you up for success.

Trying to do more than you’re able is setting yourself up for failure, or worse, injury.

Other factors to take into consideration include environmental conditions. A safe work situation can be hazardous depending on environmental factors like ice, noise, dust and lighting.

Consider not just the environment, but also how it can affect your abilities to work safely.

Not all changes associated with aging will have a significant impact on a person’s capacity to perform farming tasks. But, it’s important to assess what tasks become more challenging as we age. Planning work activities to compensate for any limitations will set a senior farmer up for continued success.

Serving the Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Brocket

Thank You! 2018 STEER BUYERS Pincher Creek Co-op (2) Backcountry Butchering Ltd. TransAlta LED in Action / Back to Earth Energy Deley (Carlson) Ranches Smith Trucking/Lundbreck Pit Fountain Tire Mike Mayer Construction South Country Enterprises / Bruder Custom Spraying Riteline Electric Sinnott Farm Services GMH Bluebird Ranch / Hochstein Gero Construction / Darren Boese Mark Mackenzie Westcastle Motors Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic Simplot S.A.L.E. Rocky Mountain Mechanical West Way Feeds Castle Ford DC Fencing Silver Tone Services

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March 13, 2019

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