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Farm Safety Newsletter Summer 2009 | |
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Throughout the summer the Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Farm Safety Team will be traveling to rodeos, trade fairs and other agricultural events throughout Alberta to help promote the Safety Up campaign. The goal of the Safety Up campaign is to create and improve awareness for the farm safety and ensure safety remains in the back of everyone’s mind. “The Safety Up” campaign is targeted towards new and young workers aged 17 to 25 and reminds them of the importance of safety on the job so they can enjoy life off the job! The most recent events that the team has attended include the Leduc Dairy Congress, and Brazeau County Fair in Drayton Valley.
Why focus on new and young workers? 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 in general are one third more likely to be injured on the job than those over age 25. New workers are often unaware of the potential hazards of their jobs. In fact, over 50% of accidents involving young workers occur during the 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 are approximately 14 to 24 deaths that occur per year on farms throughout the province. These accidents range
from ATV crashes and rollovers to farmers being crushed or trapped by their equipment. Animal handling and water sources such as dugouts, and irrigation ditches have also resulted in many devastating injuries and fatalities. These injuries and fatalities 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 on our website at www.agriculture.gov.ab.ca/farmsafety. These fact sheets will also be handed out at various events throughout the summer along with other promotional items such as bumper stickers, air fresheners, farm orientation and safety training guides, farm survival guides and farm safety CD’s and many more promotional products to ensure safety remains in the mind and farmers remain aware of the risks they face.
Anyone who attends 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 to the Safety Up year-end draw for some incredible prizes including great Safety up logo wear. The draw will take place September 30 and the winner will be posted on Ropin the Web. If you haven’t entered yet, go online to www.agriculture.gov.ab.ca/farmsafety and look for the Safety Up Contest.
If you miss us at the many rodeos and summer fairs this summer, check out our 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, whether that is good times with friends, sports, music or dating. |
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Kenda Lubeck.
This information published to the web on July 30, 2009.
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