This week is national Farm Safety Week (March 14 – 20 2021). As we head into spring, many of us have planting on the mind. This week serves as an important reminder that safety in farms is not optional or a part-time thought. Many farms operate day to day as industrial worksites, where safety is an integral part of getting to the dinner table safely at the end of every day. This includes taking shortcuts – often when we take shortcuts, safety is jeopardized and we put ourselves and our colleagues at risk. And that risk isn’t one worth taking.
Take a moment from your day and review with your colleagues and family the importance of safe work methods and procedures.
Here are some resources:
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association has published a series of interactive toolbox talks, including ones on carbon monoxide, confined spaces on the farm, fall protection, operating portable augers and more. This is a great set of resources for your next safety meeting, a lunch break, or to review with your family.
Fortis Alberta has some great safety tips on farming near powerlines.
We all want to go home safely, every single day. We encourage you to speak up, to ask questions, and to take your time to do your tasks safely. A lot of safe farming happens throughout the year, and we challenge you to continue to help that be the norm! Let’s have a productive farming season!
– Canuck
