As Canadian Agriculture Safety Week ends, the conversation about farm safety remains top of mind. In this episode of Farm Safety Roundup, hosted by Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture, Ryan Dick of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services highlights the important role of safety in agriculture. Dick emphasizes the importance of prioritizing safety every day from the dual perspective of a health and safety consultant and a farmer.
The focus of this year’s Canadian Agriculture Safety Week was to highlight the need for continued safety awareness, provide practical safety advice and encourage conversations about farm safety. Dick emphasizes that there is a direct link between safety measures and the success and sustainability of farming operations. “No matter what your idea of success is, there are a few things that will help you succeed on the farm. One of them is to put health and safety at the forefront. What’s the point of being successful if you can’t?”
Haney and Dick emphasize that many on-farm injuries are preventable and stress the need for thorough job evaluation and hazard awareness. Dick urges farmers to prioritize safety training and continually evaluate and update their safety procedures. “All farmers have a responsibility to protect their workers by making them aware of the hazards and dangers of their work. The more communication you can have, the better your internal accountability system will be and the more safety you will have as a result. “It will create a safe working environment and a safer culture,” he advises.
In addition to addressing near misses and unique risks in farming, Dick emphasizes the importance of self-care for farmers. He recognizes that farm success is inherently tied to personal well-being and encourages individuals to prioritize their physical and mental well-being. “The success of a farm depends directly on our well-being as farmers. And if we don’t take care of ourselves and fail to see the forest for the trees, we are failing ourselves. Because you haven’t given yourself any downtime, you’ll continue to make opportunistic decisions to give yourself more work. Rest and recover for it,” he emphasizes.
Farm safety efforts extend far beyond the designated week. By promoting open communication, prioritizing safety training, and advocating self-care, farmers can create a safer working environment and ensure the long-term success of their operations.
For more tips, tools, free, easy-to-use resources, and more, visit: WSPS.ca/Farm Safety
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