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News Advertiser
April 29, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
CN Rail safety Initiative Focuses on Grain Truck Drivers
CN Police take a hands-on approach to safety by going out to grain elevators to speak with drivers. (Canadian Agricultural Safety Association/Submitted Photo)
Erin Kelly Canadian Agricultural Safety Association ‘It’ll never happen to me.’ It’s a phrase that far too many of us have thought far too often when it comes to railway incidents. It’s that mindset the CN Police Service is looking to change with a new safety program focusing on a specific group that frequently
encounter railway crossings: grain truck drivers. After analyzing data and realizing that a significant number of incidents occurring at crossings involved professional truck drivers, CN police started looking for ways outside of enforcement to change that trend.
“You can stop vehicles, you can ticket drivers, but it is more important to change attitudes and behaviours about crossings,” says Sergeant Paul Leaden, operations supervisor for the CN Police Service’s Prairie Division, which includes Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northwestern Ontario. CN police, recognizing that one of the best ways to help change those attitudes would be to meet drivers in their own environment, decided to take a hands-on approach and began going out to grain elevators in the Prairie Division to speak with them directly. “[CN police officers] are targeting the drivers while they are actually in the line loading up at the elevators,” Sgt. Leaden explains of the Grain Initiative endeavour. “We have always been doing educational outreach, but we really shifted the focus to the grain industry and have been able to spread the safety message to these drivers in a very positive way.”
Has there Been Animal-toHuman Infection in Canada?
How safe is yo Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Submitted Working day in and day out, it’s easy to go into ‘autopilot’. We all do it. However, it can lead to unwanted consequences in a hazardous environment. Documenting the potential hazards on your farm, being aware of the risks, and putting controls in place can go a long way in protecting yourself, your workers and visitors. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association has developed a Hazard Assessment Tool that guides farmers in cataloguing potential risks on their property. Throughout this process, we distinguish between hazardous conditions and hazardous acts. A hazardous condition is a hazard that can be observed, like an icy walkway. A hazardous act is a hazard that is created by a person or thing, such as rain or spraying water onto a walkway in freezing temperatures. Hazardous acts often result in hazardous conditions. We also found it important to categorize the various sources of risk. There are a number of risks that aren’t commonly considered, so reviewing the categories can help ensure a thorough risk assessment. The risk categories outlined in the tool include: •Biological: bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans, etc. •Chemical: depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the chemical •Ergonomic: repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, etc. •Physical: radiation, magnetic fields, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc. •Psychosocial: stress, violence, harassment, time constraints, etc. •Safety: slipping/tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns
Submitted There is currently no evidence to suggest that this virus is circulating in animals in Canada. It is possible that some types of animals may be able to get infected with COVID-19, but it is not yet clear whether they would show symptoms.
There are still many unknowns about COVID-19 and this is an area
that remains to be studied and understood. Until we know more, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have contact with animals: •avoid close contact with them •avoid coughing and sneezing on the animals •have another member of your staff care for the animals •if this is not possible, always wash your hands before touching or feeding them •limit the animal’s contact with other people and animals do not snuggle or kiss them, or let them lick you, sit on your lap, or sleep in your bed.
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