By Angela Cammaert, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Staying safe at work is always important. That’s especially true on Ontario’s farms, which aren’t just a workplace, it’s also where those of us who farm live and raise our families.

This week is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, and as we look forward to the end of winter and start preparing for the busy spring planting season coming up, it’s a great time to brush up on farm safety.

I farm with my family near West Lorne between London and Chatham, where we raise beef cattle and grow crops. I’m also a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

Safety is important on our farm; it’s something we’ve always taken seriously, especially when it comes to making sure our kids know how to stay safe. Some of the most tragic farm accidents every year involve children, and the entire farm community has a shared responsibility to make sure everyone knows how to keep kids safe.

We’ve taken our kids to farm safety days in our community, where different groups come together to offer training on hydro and lawn mower safety for example, as well as illustrating different ways accidents can happen and be prevented on the farm.

Our kids know to wear safety glasses, stay back from running farm equipment and make sure they can be seen by drivers. Safety boots are also important, and we have taught them to follow the same safety rules on other farms as they do at home.

As well, because we have livestock, we make sure they know how to behave around animals. This means not to be running in and out of pastures where livestock are grazing and to be particularly careful during calving and lambing time.

Baby animals are cute, but they’re also likely to be watched over by a very protective cow or ewe who will step in to protect her young if she detects a threat.

Another important thing we’ve taught them is that grain bins and wagons aren’t play places. It’s easy for kids – and adults for that matter – to fall or become trapped inside, for example.

First responders aren’t always trained or have the proper equipment to handle grain bin rescues, which is why the OFA, together with many of its county and regional federations has supported grain safety and rescue training for rural first responders in many parts of Ontario through its Revive Fund initiative.

Farm safety isn’t just about kids, though. As adults, we also have a role to play in keeping ourselves and our farm employees safe.

Right now, before planting gets underway, is a great time of year to inspect and do maintenance on farm equipment to make sure everything is working correctly and safely. And while we’re working, it’s important to stay alert, avoid working when over-tired, and use proper protective gear like wearing highly visible vests.

Don’t wear loose clothing around running equipment, keep long hair tied back, and don’t walk around fields in the dark. As well, keep a first aid kit, a charged cell phone and emergency contact numbers handy in case an accident does happen.

To me, the other big part of farm safety involves safety on the roads. Every year, accidents happen involving farm equipment and cars and both farmers and motorists must do their part to keep roads – and drivers – safe.

There are many initiatives underway across Ontario to improve road safety, including slow moving vehicle signage campaigns to help raise awareness of this important issue. For farmers, road safety means having proper signals and signage on their equipment and knowing the rules of the road.

And for motorists, keep in mind that farm vehicles can’t drive as fast as you and sometimes the roads and shoulders aren’t wide enough for us to move aside – so please be patient and pass only when it’s safe (hills and curves are not safe!).

As we’re busy planning for spring, it’s important to make farm safety part of that plan. You’ll find information and resources that can help on the OFA website.

For more information:

Tyler Brooks
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
519-994-2578
comms@ofa.on.ca