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Safety First This Spring

By Bethany Storey, BFO Communications Specialist and Darby Wheeler, BFO Policy Advisor

Spring is officially here, which is encouraging farmers to hit the fields. This is an exciting time when producers are happy to finally be outside, getting crops in the ground, fencing pastures, and planning for the summer ahead. During this time, onfarm safety needs to be a top priority on our minds.

On-farm accidents can happen, and this risk only increases when workplace health and safety is not made a priority on your farm. Environmental and market volatility, longer work days for spring planting, as well as time and focus on general production are all factors that can often take precedence over developing and establishing farm safety plans.

Regardless, Ontario farms qualify as both a workplace and a home, meaning health and safety must be of paramount importance to everyday production. Having up-to-date farm safety plans and protocols in place on your farm and understood by all family members and employees ensures the safety of everyone.

A farm safety plan should be developed with the full cooperation of everyone on the farm. This will ensure all your farm employees, including family members, are aware of the expectations from the get-go.

Possible sections for a written plan could include:

• General On-Farm Policy Statement – This can be a brief statement on your farm’s commitment to health and safety, responsibilities, and the involvement of everyone on the farm in taking responsibility for health and safety.

• Identify Hazards – Identify existing and potential hazards in all aspects of your operation. • Prepare – Establish a plan for incidents and emergencies that may occur on your farm.

• Control Strategies – Establish a number of basic practices to control the health and safety hazards and risks on your farming operation.

• Communicate Responsibilities – Ensure everyone working and visiting your farm is aware of their responsibilities and establish a communications process for sharing health and safety information with everyone on the farm.

• Review – Review and revise your plan frequently to make sure it is current and up-to-date, and that all those working and living on your farm are aware of any changes.

(Source – Canada Farm Safe Plan)

By taking the time to step back and implement the suggestions above, you are on your way to creating a safer farm environment for yourself, your family and your employees. OB

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