Partnering with B.C. agriculture to improve workplace health and safety

Understanding employer responsibilities

Identifying the risk factors, implementing prevention strategies, and eliminating or reducing the causes of injuries can all go a long way in improving workplace health and safety. Effectively managing risk in your workplace involves four steps:

1. Understand the risks — identify the hazards (anything that could cause harm) and assess the risk these hazards pose to workers.

WorkSafeBC’s Agriculture Initiative was developed through the examination of claims data and identification of work activities with the highest potential for causing injury. The initiative focuses prevention activities on identified factors that drive injuries, in order to apply resources and effort where they will be most effective. Our areas of focus are:

• Workers struck by machinery, animals, and equipment

• Tractor safety

• Falls on the same elevation and from ladders

• Sprains and strains

• Safeguarding and lockout

• Confined spaces

• Pesticide storage and use

• New and young worker orientation and training

2. Control the risks — the greatest risk should be addressed first. Start by trying to eliminate the risk or substitute the process. If that is not possible, apply engineering controls, using equipment or other means to prevent workers from being exposed to the hazard. The next level is administrative controls, using safe work procedures to enable workers to perform the work safely. The final level of control is personal protective equipment (PPE), by itself or in combination with another type of control.

3. Communicate — make sure all affected workers and supervisors know what controls are in place and how to use them.

4. Monitor and update — assess how your control measures are working and make improvements if needed.

Preventing incidents is a shared responsibility

Workers have great insights into the demands of the job and can help to identify risk factors and potential controls for mitigating risks. Employers need to consult with workers and their joint health and safety committee, or worker health and safety representative, when completing risk assessments.