Every spring farm safety takes centre stage across the country.
Here in Alberta, Red Deer County is presenting a Farm Safety Program Planning Workshop on Feb. 25 in Innisfail to help highlight various aspects of farm safety.
“It's being held in response to Bill 6 that came down from the (provincial) government,” said Art Preachuk, Ag Services manager with Red Deer County. “That includes workman's compensation and a number of things that are now being required on farms.
“We're trying to show people what requirements they have to comply with to date, and (explain) what it all means,” he added.
Bill 6 is Alberta's new farm safety legislation that passed a third and final reading in the legislature last December, and was introduced earlier this year.
The farm safety workshop takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Innisfail Legion and is open to the public, noted Preachuk. Those wishing to attend are asked to pre-register by Feb. 22. Participants can pay the $20 registration fee at the door.
The daylong event will cover a variety of topics around farm safety and will include safety seminars, information on workers' compensation for the farm, hazard identification and assessment, emergency response planning and presentations from industry representatives.
“In the afternoon, we have a farm safety booklet that attendees will be able to take home and essentially put together their plan,” said Preachuk. “I think it should summarize the requirements and break it down into steps,” he added, noting that many of these requirements and safety procedures may have already been implemented and are being used by farmers already. “It's just formalizing it.”
The workshop is open to both farm workers and employers, noted Preachuk.
“Keep in mind that Bill 6 applies to people that are hiring people outside the family,” he said. “That doesn't mean the family farm can't have a safety plan and do some of these things as well to help keep them safe.”
This is not the first time Red Deer County has held farm safety seminars or workshops said Preachuk. Every spring, usually in March, farm safety week is held across the country he added, noting that Bill 6 has focused more attention on farm safety.
“We're holding this to help people understand the safety aspects (of Bill 6) and what it means for farm workers and farm families. To help cut through the red tape and get it done,” he said. “We're coming up to a busy time of year and there are some requirements that have to be met.”
Preachuk said similar programs across Canada have had a positive impact when it comes to farm safety.
“These programs that have been initiated in other provinces have shown to greatly reduce fatalities,” said Preachuk. “If we can initiate these programs or similar ones here, and save a few lives, it's all worth it.”
