Stakeholders invited to show support for Agricultural Safety Week
Saskatchewan is highlighting the importance of safety in farm operations this week.
The provincial government has proclaimed March 10 to 16, as Agricultural Safety Week in Saskatchewan.
"Because the work in the agriculture industry never stops, it is important to remember to work safely year-round," said David Marit, minister of agriculture. "Agricultural Safety Week is a critical reminder that safety, both physical and mental, should be at the forefront of all the work we do."
The provincial government’s proclamation focuses on raising awareness of the importance of safety on all Canadian farms.
Saskatchewan’s theme for the week this year is "Your Farm, Your Family, Your Success, Safety is Our Heritage."
"There is no question that farm accidents can have a devastating toll with physical, psychological, and financial consequences," said Andrea Lear, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) CEO.
"But we also know that many on-farm incidents are preventable. That's why we want to provide Canadian producers with the tools and resources they need to protect the health and safety of everyone who lives and works on or visits farms and ranches. Canadian Agricultural Safety Week serves as a reminder that farm safety is important year-round and that by working together, we can ensure a safer agricultural sector."
Stakeholders can show support for the campaign by wearing an AgSafe ribbon available at Ministry of Agriculture regional offices across the province. Virtual ribbons are also available for download from the CASA website.
What is the importance of farm safety?
Farmers face the following health and safety issues at farms, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS):
- Biological hazards, such risk of respiratory disorders and exposure to zoonotic diseases from various sources
- Fire and explosion hazards and exposure to hazardous products and gases
- Ergonomics hazards, such as standing or sitting for long hours
- Physical hazards, such as exposure to excessive noise and extreme weather conditions
- Psychological hazards, such as stress and working along scenarios
- Safety hazards, such as working at heights and slips, trips and falls
Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is a national campaign hosted by CASA and supported by the Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health (CCRAH).
"Agricultural Safety Week is an important time to shine a light on the importance of agricultural safety and the plans in place to ensure agricultural workers return home safe at the end of the workday," said Don McMorris, minister of labour relations and workplace safety. "Using proper equipment, safety programs, training, being aware of your surroundings and taking breaks to avoid fatigue are all critical components to agricultural safety."
