Moving your farm to high-tech solutions doesn’t mean safety can take a backseat
Technology has brought about so many advances in agriculture. Automation and computers allow us to do more than ever before. But high-tech doesn’t always equal high safety. Understanding what can’t be replaced with technology and how to use technology as a tool is a new area of farm safety that will only grow as technology advances. […] Read more
The busiest times of the year are also the best times to slow down and plan for safety
Seeding. Harvest. Calving. Silage. Haying. These are busy seasons. We should also consider these busy times a great opportunity to invest in the safety of our team. Gearing up for the busy seasons often means getting equipment ready, preparing work areas and stocking up on supplies. Team members are coming back or are gearing up […] Read more
Farm Safety Week: Canadians are advised to be prepared for 72 hours without services. Are you ready?
A few weeks ago, we had a big storm. Roads were terrible. Power was intermittent at best. It was cold. Our friends in town were struggling. They couldn’t imagine how we were managing the conditions. We handled the storm well because we were prepared. Canadians are advised to be prepared for 72 hours without services. […] Read more
These three movie set words are more than just stage directions. They also apply on the farm
Technology is cool. I think anyone who has been to an ag show would agree. We have apps and high tech add-ons for our equipment. Things like monitors and cameras, sensors and remote alerting. We also add on low-tech devices to ensure efficiency and improve safety. Lights A farm manager I know who takes care […] Read more
A number of years ago Alberta producer Gerald Oloske injured his hand during harvest while working on a combine. It was in that moment of crisis that he realized his equipment didn’t have first aid kits. While he was feeling shock coming on, he resolved to create kits for all his equipment. Over the years […] Read more
They’re no longer children, but they’re not fully-matured adults yet
Gone are the days here where the number of hands determined the success of the farm, regardless of the age of those hands. We no longer have to ask children to risk their health and education to ensure the family farm makes a profit. That does not lessen the desire for our young people to […] Read more
Make sure you know the emergency operating procedures for all of your machinery
Safety plans. Safety orientation. Training. Tail gate talks. SOPs (standard operating procedures). It is all so important in being a safe farm. A safe business. But how deadly is it really not knowing? In a word: very. Any number of things can go wrong, and quickly, in a farming operation. Especially “in season” when people […] Read more
Not everyone is comfortable developing standard operating procedures. Get over it
Winter can be a great time for planning, and safety planning should be included. Many producers have done environmental farm plans and have done safety plans. The next piece of the complex farm safety puzzle is one that is often is in the “assumed” category. The dreaded SOP (standard operating procedure). Why dreaded? Because of […] Read more
Don't ignore the danger zones. Make your farm safety match the reality on your farm
Farming today is much different than it was in the past. The vast array of knowledge and access to information can be overwhelming. The temptation to use a template and do the “bare minimum” for a farm safety plan is great. There is also a temptation to skim the safety-related materials provided with chemicals, equipment […] Read more
Farming is our legacy. But changing practices to farm safety is our future
Farm Safety week comes every March. If you’ve been reading Grainews regularly, you’ll know that I’ve been writing safety articles for this special feature for the past few years. Farming is part of my family. It has been for generations. We have some pieces of our history and our traditions we hold dear. Others must […] Read more
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