The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is urging all farmers to protect themselves against the potentially harmful use of chemicals by using as much safety gear as possible when handling chemicals.
CASA has developed a video and brochure outlining the importance of suiting up to protect against harmful exposure to chemicals. The tools were developed in consultation with Syngenta Canada, a chemical and seed company with operations around the world. The materials were developed about a year ago.
“If agricultural chemicals are not handled according to label instructions, you could have potential for having some negative health impacts,” Glen Blahey, an agricultural health and safety specialist with CASA, told the Gazette.
“The idea is to simply ensure that the folks in the agriculture industry use these products as safely as they can.”
Blahey said the intended audience is anyone who may be handling chemicals. He said while young workers should take the message to heart, older farmers may also benefit from the information as a way to remind themselves to always diligently adhere to safety guidelines.
“Certainly it's important for young agricultural workers to be appropriately trained and have information and personal protective equipment available to them, but it's equally important for experienced producers to take a look at that information as a reminder to ensure that they do a check and make sure that they are following the appropriate procedures and using their personal protective equipment appropriately,” he said.
The video and brochure are available by typing in www.casa-asca.ca/dressforsuccess or www.youtube.comwatch?v=Ph7aHjyZls4.
