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Watch For the Alberta Farm Safety Logo This Summer | |
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From the July 6, 2009 Issue of Agri-News | |
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This summer, the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Farm Safety Team will be traveling to rodeos, trade fairs and other agricultural events throughout Alberta. The most recent events attended were the Leduc Dairy Congress and Brazeau County Fair in Drayton Valley, and Focus on 4-H in Drayton Valley. Some of the next events where the team will be include the Carstairs Rodeo and Tradeshow July 17 to 18, and the Vermilion Agricultural Fair July 23 to 25.
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The goal of the Safety Up campaign is to create and improve awareness of farm safety. The campaign is targeted towards new and young workers aged 17 to 25 and it reminds them of the importance of safety on the job so they can enjoy life off the job.
Young workers have been identified as having a high risk of injury and death on the job. According to the Workers Compensation Board, young workers are one-third more likely to be injured on the job than those over 25. New workers are often unaware of the potential hazards of their jobs. In fact, over 50 per cent of accidents involving young workers occur during their first six months on the job. It is important that new workers be aware of the risks they face on their new job and of the need for training to prevent injuries and fatalities.
In recent years, there have been far too many fatalities occurring on farms throughout Alberta. There is an average of 18 farm-related deaths per year throughout the province. These tragedies result from a range of farm activities including ATV crashes and rollovers to farmers being crushed or trapped by their equipment. Incidents involving animal handling and water sources such as dugouts, and irrigation ditches have also resulted in many devastating injuries and fatalities. These incidents typically peak around harvest time during periods of increased stress and longer working hours.
A series of Safety Up fact sheets have been created and can be accessed online at www.agriculture.gov.ab.ca/farmsafety. These fact sheets will also be available at various events throughout the summer along with other educational items including farm orientation and safety training guides, farm survival guides, farm safety CDs and promotional items.
Anyone attending the summer events has a chance to win one of many farm safety door prizes including backpacks, first aid kits and t-shirts. All names will be entered into the Safety Up year-end draw for prizes including Safety Up logo wear. The draw will take place September 30, 2009, and the winner will be posted on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's website. If you haven't entered yet, go online to www.agriculture.alberta.ab.ca/farmsafety and look for the Safety Up contest.
If you miss the Farm Safety Team at rodeos and summer fairs this summer, check out the website and remember to Safety Up. Save yourself for the good times. Stay safe on the farm so you can enjoy all that life has to offer.
Contact:
Joel Bokenfohr
780-427-4462
Laurel Aitken
780-980-4230 |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Joel Bokenfohr.
This document is maintained by Rita Splawinski.
This information published to the web on June 30, 2009.
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