Katie Keddy’s approach to teaching her two sons about safety on the farm is simple: normalize it. “We believe in teaching them lessons so that they grow up with safety as a culture on the farm instead of learning it as adults,” Keddy explains. Keddy and her husband, Philip, are second-generation farmers growing sweet potatoes […] Read more
Normalizing farm safety from an early age
Know your physical and emotional limits for a safer, more productive farm
It’s often said that farmers will stop at nothing to get the work done. But the long days, strenuous manual labour and constant challenges that come with farming can easily take a physical and mental toll. That’s why it’s crucial for farmers to be aware of their limitations. Ignoring limitations can heighten the risk of […] Read more
Pesticide safety starts with the label
When it comes to growing crops, pesticides are a vital tool. Pesticides, commonly known as crop protection or pest control products, play an important role on farms across the country. They enable farmers to put food on tables thanks to healthy and plentiful crops. However, using any pesticide product comes with a responsibility to ensure […] Read more
Farm safety includes being rail-safe
With nearly 45,000 kilometres of active railway tracks and roughly 40,000 railway crossings from coast to coast, many Canadians encounter trains daily. That’s especially true in rural areas, where many farms are located near railway tracks. “In 2022 there were 232 incidents between trains and vehicles or people in Canada that resulted in 66 fatalities […] Read more
Lock out hazardous energy sources on farm
Any energy source that could activate machinery poses a potential hazard on the farm. In a ranch or farm setting, the most obvious of these hazardous energy sources are mechanical: motor-driven equipment such as tractors, forklifts, conveyors, compressors, mixers and augers can cause harm if not properly managed. Suspended, elevated or coiled pieces of equipment […] Read more
Getting back to basics for a safer new year
Runovers and rollovers are a leading cause of on-farm deaths
As we dive into the New Year, let’s keep it simple. Instead of setting big goals, how about we focus on doing everyday tasks right and safe? Take, for example, operating tractors — something pretty common on the farm. Tractors are the MVPs of farming. From field work to feeding the livestock to cleaning snow, […] Read more
A new face, and new faces, for CASA
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), which promotes safety and well-being in Canada’s agricultural sector, unveiled a fresh new look and announced the results of board elections during its recent annual general meeting. Two newly elected board members will play crucial roles in advancing the organization’s mission: CASA is pleased to welcome Shelley Kirychuk of […] Read more
Culture of safety starts at the top
It’s often said that an organization’s culture starts at the top. And that trickle-down effect is particularly important when it comes to creating a culture of safety, says Don MacDonald, vice-president of operations at G3. “Safety is cultural. It has to be. That safety environment starts right at the top in our organization. It’s embedded […] Read more
Be proactive to mitigate grain dust explosions
“It hasn’t happened yet.” It’s a common phrase that we’ve heard many farmers say about safety hazards. But just because something hasn’t happened yet doesn’t make it any less of a risk. Grain dust explosions are a prime example. While grain dust explosions, fortunately, don’t happen every day, they are still very much a hazard […] Read more
Collaboration on rural road safety in Ontario provides insights for Prairies
It’s often said that real change can happen when communities come together. And in the Waterloo region of Ontario, that premise became the foundation for a safety collaboration group that is bringing attention to local rural road issues. In 2019, members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service, the Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
