But what about health risks like excessive noise and sun exposure?

Health hazards are often overlooked risks in farming — and while quite different from the dangers posed by farm machinery, they require the same proactive attention and prevention strategies as other farm hazards.

“The success of a farm is dependent on a farmer’s well-being. There are a lot of health hazards that can affect a farmer’s health, whether that’s hearing, sun, respiratory, or ergonomic, and they are equally as important as other safety matters on the farm,” says Kendra Ulmer, manager and clinical director of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network at the University of Saskatchewan’s Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health.

“If your health is compromised, that can create more safety risks. You can’t separate health and safety in agriculture; they go hand in hand.”

Listen up

A notable health hazard around the farm is noise-induced hearing loss, which can occur at any age from prolonged exposure to loud noises or as a result of a sudden loud incident, such as being near a tractor tire that blows. And there is no shortage of loud noises on the farm from machinery, livestock, power tools, ventilation fans, and more.

In fact, farmers and farm workers experience one of the highest rates of noise-induced hearing loss among all occupations. What’s more, research has found that almost 50 per cent of farm youth show some signs of noise-induced hearing loss compared to non-farming youth. Signs of hearing loss can include favouring one ear over the other, difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, ringing or buzzing in the ears, frequently asking people to repeat what they said, and cranking the volume up high on the TV or radio.

“The important thing to recognize about hearing is that once it’s gone, it’s gone. Hearing aids can help but they don’t replace your hearing,” explains Ulmer.

“Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and it is irreversible, but it is also 100 per cent preventable. That’s why it’s so important to protect the hearing of children and youth on the farm because the damage done when someone is young stays with them forever.”

In addition to potentially increasing incidents on the farm due to being unable to hear warning sounds, Ulmer notes that hearing loss can also affect a person’s overall health, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, digestive issues, stress, and trouble sleeping.

“For farmers with identified hearing loss, we strongly encourage them to seek support because it does contribute to their quality of life,” says Ulmer. “When we can decrease the noise, we decrease our risk of hearing loss, safety mishaps, and other physical and psychological effects, which means we’re increasing our overall well-being.”

So how can farmers, farm workers, and farm families protect their hearing? Some key preventive measures include:

• Look at ways to eliminate or reduce exposure to loud noises.
• Find hearing protection that works for you. Ears are all shaped differently, so what works for one person may not work for someone else. Try on different types of hearing protection to find one that is comfortable and provides a proper fit.
• When selecting hearing protection, consider other equipment and clothing you will be wearing, such as hard hats or glasses.
• Keep hearing protection in different areas of the farm where it is needed.
• Follow this rule of thumb: If you need to raise your voice to be heard by someone three feet away, then you need to wear hearing protection.

Sun exposure a risk even in winter

Another health hazard for farmers and farm workers is sun exposure. But, just as with hearing loss, it is preventable.

“The sun is a major occupational hazard for anyone who works outdoors,” explains Ulmer.

“With the amount of time that Canadian farmers and other agricultural workers spend outside, they are in the highest risk category for sun exposure, which increases the risk of skin cancer.”

Research has found that outdoor workers have a 2.5 to 3.5 times greater risk of skin cancer compared to indoor workers. With more than 80,000 new cases of skin cancer — 5,000 of which are melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer — diagnosed in Canada every year, according to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, prevention and early detection are crucial.

“Farmers and farm families need to make sun safety a part of their daily routine and include it as part of their safety practices because there are serious long-term health consequences to sun exposure,” Ulmer says, noting people should check their skin periodically for any new or changed moles.

While many are conscious of harmful UV rays on hot and sunny summer days, Ulmer says those aren’t the only times when people should take precautions, noting the UV index needs to be monitored year-round.

“People need to think about the impact of the sun’s rays even when it’s cloudy or in the middle of the winter when the sun reflects off the snow. Just as farmers check the forecast to see about rain, they need to check the UV index daily,” Ulmer says.

Ways to protect against sun exposure and heat-related illness on the farm include:

• Wear a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, and pants if possible.
• A wide-brimmed hat offers more protection than a baseball cap, which doesn’t cover the ears or back of the neck.
• Use sunscreen and reapply it every two hours.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Take regular breaks in a cool or shaded area.
• Try to limit outside work during the peak of the day (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.).

While health hazards are ever-present on farms, they shouldn’t be ignored. Being proactive can make all the difference in protecting the well-being of everyone on the farm.

“Farmers and farm workers are always looking after the land, animals, and equipment, but it’s crucial for people to proactively look after their own health as well,” Ulmer says.

“There is a lot of talk about productivity, sustainability, and incorporating new technologies, but we still need a healthy farmer. Because there is no farming without the farmer.”

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Bill C-244, an amendment to the federal Copyright Act, allows Canadians access to vehicle, machinery and equipment data for diagnostics, maintenance and repairs. This change enables qualified individuals to conduct on-farm repairs, which provides cost savings related to equipment transfer to a dealership, labour, and operational downtime.

Of course, it’s crucial to remember the hazards linked to farm machinery, whether it’s during operation in the fields or while carrying out maintenance. According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data, between 2011 and 2020, 66 per cent of agriculture-related fatalities involved machinery, including rollovers, runovers, and entanglements.

Before undertaking any maintenance or repair, consider these essential safety points:

Competence

• Are you familiar with the machine or equipment?

• Do you have previous experience fixing it?

• Are you trained and do you have the correct tools and parts for the job?

Supervision

• Does the maintenance process require supervision to ensure the correct use of tools and parts?

• Is the owner’s manual being followed?

Owner’s manual

• Are you using the owner’s manual to learn what oil and filters are needed to change the oil, and when?

• Are you referring to it for all repairs and upkeep?

Inspections

• Do you have a daily checklist to inspect the equipment for damages, fluid leaks, burnt-out lights, and other necessary repairs? Remember: checklists serve as reminders of what to look for.

Record keeping

• Have you gathered service records for reference?

• Are the records up to date with details of on-farm repairs, maintenance, and recurring issues?

Stored energy

• Have you controlled stored energy, such as hydraulic fluid, electricity, and springs?

• Are you using a lockout system for stored hydraulic energy, like the red block on raised skid steer lift arms?

• Have you unplugged battery cables to release electrical energy, and released pressure in springs before starting repairs?

Professional help

• Do you know when it’s time to seek professional assistance? (Hint: It’s when you don’t know how to fix it, don’t have the right tools or parts, haven’t been trained, or if you haven’t done it before.)

Always consult your provincial Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation to understand specific maintenance and repair requirements for your equipment and machinery.

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Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for a grain entrapment on Feb. 9 in east-central Alberta.

Chris Krushel, fire chief for the Edgerton Emergency Services Department, says a man had entered a grain bin to clean it when he became caught in the grain. Thankfully, another person was present to assist with the work and the auger was shut off. By then, though, the male victim was trapped up to his waist and unable to move.

“The initial responding department, Irma Fire Rescue, did not have the necessary equipment or training. So, we were brought in for additional assistance because they heard that we had just received our grain bin rescue training [through the BeGrainSafe program],” explains Krushel, adding that assistance was also received from Wainwright Fire and Rescue and the fire department from CFB Wainwright.

After an assessment to ensure the male victim was alert and breathing, Krushel says they set up a grain rescue tube around him and used an auger to remove grain near the individual. The man was then able to self-extricate and get down from the bin.

“It was really surprising that he was able to get down under his own power. We weren’t expecting that but it was certainly positive to see,” says Krushel. “This was the first grain rescue we have been involved with, and it occurred right after we did the grain rescue training, so it was very fortunate that everything happened the way it did.”

While this particular grain rescue had a positive outcome, many do not. According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data, there were 27 fatalities due to asphyxiation from grain or soil on Canadian farms between 2011 and 2020.

Dan Marsellus is fire chief for Kneehill County in Alberta and a master trainer with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s (CASA) BeGrainSafe program. He says that the training offered to firefighters through the BeGrainSafe program, which launched in 2017 due to increased grain entrapment fatalities, is invaluable for saving lives.

“Grain entrapments are high-risk, low-probability events, so knowing how to respond to the situation is essential,” explains Marsellus, who conducted the Edgerton Emergency Services Department’s BeGrainSafe training.

Krushel agrees, noting that the training was extremely beneficial for responding to the February grain entrapment.

“Without the training we would not have had the understanding of what to do and we wouldn’t know how to properly use the grain rescue equipment,” Krushel explains. “The BeGrainSafe training has tested and tried rescue procedures and because of that we knew how to approach the situation and the outcome was fantastic.”

At the core of the BeGrainSafe firefighter grain rescue training is a trailer outfitted with a built-in silo that can hold 7,000 pounds of grain. Positioned above the silo is a platform with a davit arm that can safely lower a person into the grain. Once entrapped, rescue demonstrators use grain rescue tubes in combination with an auger to remove grain from around the individual until they can be safely extracted from the grain.

While the training experience can be intimidating at first, particularly for those who have never been around grain, Marsellus says it also leaves participants with a new perspective and awareness for the risks associated with grain.

“Anyone who goes in the grain is stabilized the entire time and safe, but their eyes get very big when the floor disappears beneath them and they get that sinking feeling. Then they are basically cemented in place and cannot move,” explains Marsellus. “The training highlights the reality and severity of these situations and it really grounds people.”

Krushel adds, “We are in a rural community, but a lot of our department’s members aren’t farmers so this training is a real eye-opener for all that is involved with grain entrapments. Because there are a lot of things included that you wouldn’t even think about until you do this training.”

One significant takeaway for many who participate in the BeGrainSafe training is the realization of how grain flows and that it acts like quicksand, quickly pulling a person down.

“People often think you can swim in grain but you can’t because there is no buoyancy factor in grain. Grain moves very quickly and it is startling how quickly a person can disappear; they can be pulled in under the grain before they even have a chance to say the word ‘stop,’” Marsellus says.

“The grain puts so much force on a person that once the grain is at their hip level, it will literally pull the person in half if we even attempt to pull them out. With that much force, if someone is buried, you want to be as quick as possible to get them out.”

Of course, training participants aren’t the only ones with misunderstandings about grain. That’s why the BeGrainSafe program is not only committed to raising awareness about the hazards of grain and the gravity of entrapments among first responders, but also the general public.

“The best way to save lives is for grain safety to be a proactive issue on farms rather than a reactive issue. The more awareness we have, the more we can hopefully make people realize the need to take grain safety seriously and have those important conversations,” Marsellus says. “Because the moment someone is gone under the grain, it’s irreversible.”

As the Feb. 9 rescue demonstrates, having the right knowledge and equipment to respond to these incidents can make a tremendous difference. With more awareness and training, we can hopefully lessen the occurrence of tragic outcomes.

“You may not need to use this training often, and hopefully you don’t,” says Marsellus. “But when responding to a grain entrapment event, it can make all the difference.”

More information about CASA’s BeGrainSafe program is available online.

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And a new study is highlighting that notion when it comes to mental in farm youth, revealing that children aren’t immune to stressors on the family farm

The study, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explores how economic stressors affect the mental health of farmers and their adolescent children.

“Mental health with youth in agriculture is often overlooked. We have, rightfully so, put emphasis on the owner-operator who makes the decisions on the farm and has to sit with those decisions. But we haven’t looked at the impacts on the farm family,” Josie Rudolphi, an assistant professor and extension specialist at the University of Illinois and one of the study’s co-authors, explains.

“When families go through trauma, it’s usually not just one person who experiences trauma. It’s experienced by the family. So, when we think about tough economic situations, it’s being felt by everyone in the family. With farming, there are a lot of stressors that aren’t typical of most work arrangements and lines between home and work are often blurred.”

In the first two years of the five-year study, data has indicated a higher prevalence of symptoms for depression and anxiety in farm parents and youth compared to the general population. The study found that about 60 per cent of both adults and adolescents met the criteria for at least mild depression, while 55 per cent of adults and 45 per cent of adolescents met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder.

“Those statistics are much higher than what we see in the general population. Even during COVID, we typically saw, among the general population, 28-35 per cent of people meeting the criteria for at least mild depression,” says Rudolphi. “So, we are seeing upwards of double those figures, which is very concerning.”

While the study looks at U.S. farmers and adolescents, Rudolphi notes the findings are consistent with other studies around the world. The Survey of Farmer Mental Health in Canada, undertaken between February and May 2021 and led by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton at the University of Guelph, found that stress, anxiety, and depression were higher among farmers than the national average. The research also found that suicide ideation was twice as high among Canadian farmers compared to the general population.

Risk-taking behaviours

Of particular note in the new study’s findings is the correlation between how farm parents’ mental health and well-being affect that of their adolescent children.

“If a parent meets the criteria for depression, it’s almost guaranteed that the adolescent will as well,” Rudolphi explains. “We have to, of course, acknowledge that some of this is genetic. But what it really underscores is that youth are experiencing what their parents are experiencing; they are absorbing and internalizing their experiences.”

The study has also found a “very strong association” between mental health and risk-taking among farm youth, indicating that those who participated in more risk-taking behaviours were more likely to meet the criteria for at least mild symptoms of depression. That finding echoes a similar conclusion in the research “Health and Well-Being Among Youth People from Canadian Farms: Associations with a Culture of Risk-Taking,” which found risk behaviours to be high among farm adolescents and associated with various negative indicators of health and well-being.

“When we compare what we found to what the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has found in non-farm adolescents, we see a higher proportion of our sample participating in those risk-taking activities,” Rudolphi says.

One glimmer of promising news, she notes, is that today’s youth have a heightened awareness of and engagement in mental health conversations.

“There is still some stigma with mental health, in some populations especially, and I think rural and agricultural communities at one point were among the most stigmatizing. But we are starting to see that change,” she says. “Youth are really interested in talking about mental health. A lot of it has to do with generational changes. Millennials are more likely to talk about it than their parents, and Gen Z and beyond are growing up in environments with much more normalized conversations about mental health.”

Of course, capitalizing on that youth interest and engagement means providing adequate and accessible mental health resources and services. And, as the study’s findings underscore, there is a need for more mental health supports focusing on farm youth and farm families.

“Is it concerning that we see a high proportion of our sample meeting the criteria for depression? Yes. But what’s also concerning is the lack of adequate access to mental health care in rural communities,” Rudolphi says. “Because we know that these are treatable conditions; we have a spectrum of mental health and people are moving through it constantly. It’s very treatable and manageable, if you have the resources at your disposal.”

While there is no quick solution to address mental health and wellness among farm families, Rudolphi hopes the study brings more attention to the experiences of farm families, particularly youth. Though there are plenty of benefits to growing up on a farm, she notes, it’s also important to acknowledge and work to address the risks, which extend beyond physical well-being.

“If we’re going to encourage people to go into farming, if we’re going to encourage people to grow our food, then we need to make sure they’re taken care of from a physical and mental perspective,” she explains.

“These youth today are our next generation of farmers. If they aren’t safe and healthy, then we don’t have our future farmers and ranchers.”

Links to mental health resources, information and supports in your area are available online.

Kids FarmSafe Week is a new public awareness campaign hosted by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association with the aim of promoting the safety and wellness of children and youth on Canadian farms. For its inaugural year, the campaign took place May 13-19, presented by BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions.

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It was April 1994, and Kemery, who was four years old, was playing on a parked tractor-driven rototiller that was still running on her family’s grain farm near Major, Sask. Her parents were standing not too far away. When the machine shook itself into gear, Kemery suddenly fell backward into the blades.

The incident resulted in critical injuries across Kemery’s body, which required numerous surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, and left her with lasting physical challenges and emotional trauma.

“When you hear stories of farming accidents, people are absolutely devastated when it happens, but then a week later, they’ve moved on. For the people it has happened to, it is a life sentence,” Kemery says. “It’s not a one-day event that you just move on from. I will never move on from this, and my family will never move on from it. This is life-changing and lifelong.”

Kemery knows her situation is unique in that she can talk about her experience. “More often than not, people do not survive those sorts of accidents,” she explains. That’s a key reason Kemery became a vocal farm safety advocate, noting that speaking publicly about her accident became therapeutic and a way to help cope.

“People always think ‘It’s never going to happen to me.’ I’m sure my parents thought that as well,” she says.

Despite the accident, Kemery remains close to her family’s farm, where she and her husband raise their three kids. While she says the family farm is a great place to raise kids, she quickly points out that it can also be dangerous if precautions aren’t taken.

“I always ask people if they’re prepared to be responsible for their child or grandchild’s life. Sure, something may never happen, but it just as likely could. And then what?” says Kemery, who also works off the farm in emergency management, providing various industries with first aid and CPR training and emergency preparedness plans.

“Whenever I hear someone say ‘I did it that way and I survived,’ I remind them that’s survivor bias. You were lucky. But had you got into an accident, this would be an entirely different conversation.”

Part of taking precautions, Kemery says, is involving children and youth in conversations about farm safety and being honest with them about the potential dangers on the farm.

“I believe in talking about everything and not hiding my kids from knowing about things that will hurt them. It’s so important to not shy away from having those conversations about how they can get hurt if they do something. We need to normalize farm safety and be honest with kids,” she explains.

“We don’t give kids enough credit. They are intuitive, smart little beings. And they want to learn. Involving kids in farm safety gives them a sense of belonging and it gives them a role. Everyone has a role on the farm and their role is to stay safe, which is huge.”

That open and honest approach to farm safety extends to her own accident. Kemery says her kids know about her accident, and when they ask questions, she is truthful with them about what happened and why.

“I can’t hide it from them; I’m covered in scars. They ask what happened and I tell them I was run over by a tractor. When they ask why, I explain that I wasn’t where I should have been and I got really, really hurt,” Kemery says.

“Why shelter them from it? Giving them the truth isn’t going to traumatize them. What will traumatize them is having to cope with an injury as a result of not having open and honest conversations about safety.”

Many parents struggle with where to start with teaching their kids about farm safety, which can lead to overcomplicating or ignoring safety lessons. A valuable resource Kemery found for teaching her children about farm safety is the BASF Safety Scouts, designed to engage little ones in learning about farm safety.

“We want to do right in keeping our kids safe, but as parents, we don’t always know what to say or where to start. The Safety Scouts program takes care of that uncertainty,” Kemery explains, adding with a laugh that her three-year-old son thought the safety vest that comes with the kit was the “bees’ knees.”

“Excluding kids from being involved with the farm can be dangerous because they want to be involved and they are going to find a way, whether you’re involved or not. So instead of ignoring it, it’s important to guide that involvement to make sure it’s as safe as possible. The Safe Scouts kit helps achieve that and helps kids visualize their role on the farm.”

Kemery notes that parents can also benefit from the program, as it provides new perspectives on farm safety.

“There were hazards included that I had never really considered, so, as a parent, it made me stop and think. And that’s important because we’re never too old or experienced to learn something new,” Kemery says. “That’s how things evolve and change for the better.

As the saying goes, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day,’ and the same notion applies with instilling farm safety. When it comes to farm safety lessons, as Kemery points out, repetition and patience are crucial.

“Farm kids are still kids. And because they’re kids, they’ll probably forget some of it, so be patient and remember that repetition is the best way to create success for farm safety,” she explains. “Having patience for kids who are learning is key. Don’t make them afraid of failing or afraid to ask for help and instead end up in a dangerous situation. Because how is that better?”

Kemery is candid when she says the trauma from her accident will never go away, noting that there’s no end to the hardships and pain she has to navigate. “That’s my life and the reality of the situation; there will always be trauma.”

That’s also why she continues to advocate for farm safety and strives to teach others how a single choice can affect the rest of their lives and their children’s lives.

“I tell people to think about the fact that an oversight could decide the fate of your child’s well-being. One decision that was made, and it wasn’t malicious or anything, but that one decision changed my life,” she explains.

“I still believe that growing up on the farm is one of the most rewarding experiences that a person could offer their kids. And embracing safety helps make the most of that experience.”

Kids FarmSafe Week is a new public awareness campaign hosted by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association with the aim of promoting the safety and wellness of children and youth on Canadian farms. For its inaugural year, the campaign took place May 13-19, presented by BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. More information can be found online.

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But while Canadian farms are becoming safer, hazards still exist, and it’s clear that there is still a long way to go with farm safety — particularly when it comes to children and youth.

The latest Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR) data highlights some concerning statistics about child and youth deaths related to agriculture. CAIR is the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association’s national surveillance program, coordinated by the Injury Prevention Centre at the University of Alberta.

According to CAIR data, from 1990 to 2020, a staggering 435 children and youth lost their lives due to agriculture-related incidents, with children ages one to four having the highest number of deaths of those under age 19.

Farms and ranches are not just workplaces, but also areas where people live and play. As a result, while other industries see occupational injury victims almost exclusively in the 18- to 65-year-old range, children sadly account for a significant number of fatalities in agriculture.

What’s contributing to so many agriculture-related fatalities among children and youth? According to the CAIR data, the majority (65 per cent) of children and youth deaths were caused by machinery, and most of those incidents involved a tractor. Runovers accounted for 32 per cent of child and youth deaths, followed by rollovers (15 per cent) and drownings (11 per cent). However, the second-largest category for mechanisms of injury — “other” — underscores the various hazards on the farm that can cause injury.

Unsurprisingly, the leading cause of death differs when looking at the unique age groups. The CAIR report indicates runovers are the leading cause of fatal injury for children under the age of nine, followed by drownings. In contrast, rollovers are the leading cause of death for youths aged 10 to 19.

Most of these victims (67 per cent) were not working at the time of the tragic incident but were in the area of farm work. One in three (65 per cent) of victims was the child of the owner/operator of the farm, with visiting children/youths representing 10 per cent of victims, followed by hired workers at nine per cent.

It’s important to keep in mind that these statistics are more than just numbers. They’re a sobering reminder of the need to protect the well-being of kids on the farm.

What can you do to keep kids safe on the farm? While farm kids are known for growing up quickly, because of the environment they are brought up in, remember that they’re still kids. So, ensure any tasks you give kids on the farm are age-appropriate. While kids might be living and playing on the farm, it’s also a workplace with plenty of hazards. Take time to create a designated play area, put barriers where possible around areas kids shouldn’t access (such as bodies of water or heights), and always provide adequate supervision.

Remember to discuss safety regularly with your kids, making it a routine part of conversations, and lead by example by demonstrating safe practices in your own actions.

Together, we can create a safer, more sustainable, and vibrant future for agriculture, and make these troubling statistics a thing of the past.

A new campaign

Kids FarmSafe Week is a new public awareness campaign hosted by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association with the aim of promoting the safety and wellness of children and youth on Canadian farms.

For its inaugural year, the campaign takes place May 13-19, 2024 and is presented by BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. More information can be found online.

— Article courtesy of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of farmers, their families and agricultural workers. CASA is funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative. For more information, visit the CASA web site, find us on Facebook or LinkedIn, or follow us on X @planfarmsafety.

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“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 and strawberry nursery plants with her in-laws at Lakeville, N.S. Being both a parent and involved with the farm, Keddy says she recognized early on the significance of making safety a regular part of conversations and way of thinking.

“Through the busyness of business, especially with farming, safety can be one of the things that falls by the wayside pretty easily if it’s not made a priority,” says Keddy, who is currently president of Farm Safety Nova Scotia.

“I wanted to ensure that didn’t happen because learning about safety as an adult requires more of a conscious effort when you haven’t grown up with it, versus it just being instilled from a young age.”

A unique aspect of agriculture is that farms and ranches are not just worksites but places where people also live. While other industries see victims of occupational injuries almost exclusively in the 18-65 age range, children account for a significant number of injuries in agriculture. According to the latest findings of the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting, between 2011 and 2020, there were 58 fatal agriculture-related injuries among those aged 0-14.

“I’ve always made sure to have very black-and-white conversations with my kids about safety. If something could result in death, then we are very direct about it and very clear about the risks because there is so little room for error,” Keddy says. “A single moment of inattention could mean the worst possible outcome.”

When it comes to safety, everyone has a role to play. That’s why one of the main lessons that Keddy and her husband have taught their sons — now ages nine and 11 — is that farm safety is everyone’s responsibility. And that includes them.

“We have always taught our kids that they have as much responsibility to look out for other people on the farm as other people have to look out for them, and it is all of our jobs to look out for one another,” Keddy explains, adding that prioritizing safety also plays a big part in attracting and retaining employees.

Being a parent and having a farm are both no easy feats. So, it’s no surprise that when asked if there is a balancing act that comes with parenting and farm work, Keddy can’t help but laugh.

“The entire lifestyle is a balancing act,” she says.

Farm kids tend to grow up fast, says Keddy, and certain expectations are often put on them, whether intentional or not, because of what they grow up around and experience.

“But even still, it is our responsibility as parents to not put them in an environment that could be unsafe and to give them the tools and knowledge necessary to keep them safe,” she explains. “While you’re trying to work, while you’re trying to run a business, you’re also trying to teach the kids the skills needed to be safe every day on the farm. And that definitely does take some careful and conscious balancing.”

One of the outlets that Keddy has used to help balance different priorities has been the Maritime Ag Women’s Network. Keddy co-founded the Facebook group with her friend Amy VanderHeide nearly 10 years ago after they attended the Atlantic Farm Women’s Conference and wanted to stay connected with the women they met there.

“We realized we were all going back to our farms and it is isolating living on a farm, so when you find those connections, it’s really meaningful,” Keddy says. “There is a need for connection, for information, and advice — be it with business, kids, or safety.”

The need for such a group became clear as its membership grew steadily, reaching over 1,000 members.

As Keddy notes, it’s no secret agriculture is rooted in old traditions. And while much progress has been made, many of the traditional expectations of women’s role in agriculture still exist. The Facebook group, she says, has helped highlight the unique experiences of farm women.

“Safety is a prime example of something that falls to women as the traditional caregivers and they are the ones most often who are balancing the kids with the farm work. For me, I did have the interest and passion for safety, but that’s not the case for everyone and safety often becomes a woman’s responsibility regardless of their interest in it,” Keddy says. “It’s an immense amount of pressure, and when you’re working stressed is when accidents happen and things get missed.”

While individual experiences will differ depending on location and commodity, Keddy points out that women in agriculture share many similar barriers, challenges and stressors.

“The Facebook group has helped a lot of women to realize they are not alone and that there are other people in the same situation as them. And that can really make a world of a difference to someone,” she says.

There’s no question that raising kids on a farm can bring many stressors and unknowns. Despite the challenges, it’s a lifestyle Keddy says she would never change. But she notes that the lifestyle comes with a responsibility she and her husband share to instill safety in the next generation.

“The bottom line is that we want them to grow up knowing that safety really has to be your No. 1 priority,” Keddy says. “Because without it, you may not have a farm.”

— Article by Erin Kelly for CASA.

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A farm workshop is no exception. In fact, it is even more likely to be the scene of a workplace injury. According to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), farmers are five times more likely to be injured in the workplace than those in other industries.

So how can producers design and equip an efficient workshop, which can minimize the risk of injuries and deal with them if they happen?

First, think about organization.

“When building a shop, try and plan out how you’re going to keep things clean,’ said Dean Anderson, board director at CASA and a former strategic advisor for Workplace Safety and Prevention Services in Ontario. “Storage up off the ground is better than on the ground.

“Where are you going to store old dirty rags? Hopefully, outside in a bin. Don’t store fuels in the shop. If you have a lot of paint thinners and those sorts of things, buy a proper cabinet.”

Many shops include a mezzanine area above an office, which is useful for storing parts and supplies. Ensure it has a guard rail along the edge, and handrails on the stairs to help prevent falls.

If equipment is going to be washed inside the shop, having a floor drain is an advantage. Water pooling on concrete that has seen its share of oil spills makes for a pretty slippery surface.

Having a ventilation system, to route engine exhaust outside without having to open a door, will eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide buildup. Such a system can also pull welding fumes away, making that job safer too.

“Ventilation is really important for personal safety,” said Anderson. “It does not take very long when working on even a small two-cycle engine or ATV inside the shop with the doors closed for carbon monoxide to build up. If you do a lot of welding, you need ventilation.

“And put in a carbon monoxide sensor.”

Good lux with that

Proper lighting levels are also key to a safe work environment. A CASA/QFA/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research paper suggests having an average overall lighting level of 250 lux (which can be a little difficult to calculate).

Other sources point out, though, that as we age our eyes require even higher light levels. So for producers 65 or older, that general limit could need to be as high as 300 lux, even more for areas where specialized tasks are performed.

Anderson also recommends investing in good-quality light fixtures. “With LED lighting, we get very good lumens for very little cost,” he said. “Flickering fluorescent lights can be tiring.”

First aid kits should be stored in easily accessible areas, such as mounted on the wall near an exit. Not all farm shops will have working plumbing, but keeping a container of solution for an eye wash station should also be a consideration. Eye contamination is a common workshop injury.

Ensure the electrical supply is appropriate for the demand by planning to locate outlets close to where they will be needed. And if working in an older building, it’s a good idea to check the electrical service for potential problems.

“The No. 1 cause of barn fires is electrical,” said Anderson. “Electrical wiring, fuses, they can deteriorate. Cheap infrared (thermometers) you can buy at Canadian Tire work quite well. You can point it at your electrical breaker box and it’ll point out a hot spot.”

Mounting fire extinguishers near an exit is the best location. Extinguishers should be the ABC type, and large enough to handle a reasonably serious but localized fire. They may be the only practical fire protection some farms have.

Pardon?

One often-overlooked aspect in shops is noise. Equipment such as large air compressors have very high noise levels that can damage hearing over time.

“When you’re designing a shop, design it so the noise levels are controlled,” Anderson said. “If you can buy [equipment] that is quieter… that’s better. Hearing loss is permanent.”

Where noisy components are located can also help reduce sound levels.

“If, for example, you can put the air compressor outside the shop, the noise is nowhere near as bad. Or mount it up on a storage mezzanine area. Put fan motors outside if you can. That dramatically reduces the sound.”

And finally, although children should not be playing in work areas, child-proofing a workshop could be a consideration. The reality is, on most farms, young children, for practical reasons, will often end up there.

“I’m not going to defend that, but set up a play area,” said Anderson. “Put a fence around it, especially when you’re doing something dangerous like moving stuff around or stuff that takes 100 per cent concentration. A lot of dairy farmers do that.

“If you’re wiring a new shop, why not put it so the power outlets are on a switch so you can turn them all off, so a kid can’t come in and say I’m going to run Dad’s drill press, turns it on and the key chuck goes flying off?”

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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 injury or illness, leading to additional challenges on the farm.

Everyone has limitations. Understanding and acknowledging your limits will benefit your physical and mental well-being, as well as your farm, family, and workers.

Be aware of physical limitations

Physical labour goes hand in hand with farming, but that doesn’t mean it should jeopardize your well-being.

Physical capabilities are unique to every individual. Everyone has their own limitations of what they are physically capable of, and performing work beyond those personal limitations can lead to injuries — for you and for others working with you.

To stay aware of physical limitations, conduct a job safety analysis for yourself or other workers before starting any new work on the farm to assess ability and risk. The main steps for a job safety analysis are:

• Break a job into individual tasks.
• Determine the minimum ability required to perform each task safely.
• Identify any potential hazards.
• Identify the personal risk factors of the person performing the work.
• Determine actions to eliminate or control hazards.

Keep in mind that limitations will inevitably change over time, so it’s essential to assess your physical capabilities periodically and have workers do the same. After all, there’s no benefit to getting injured just because you pushed yourself too far.

Keep stress in check by learning to say no

We all encounter stressful situations, but too much unmanaged stress can create a crisis.

It’s crucial not to dismiss stress as something that “will pass.” Don’t wait to take action until you’ve reached or passed your limitations for tolerating stress.

Though it’s impossible to eliminate stress completely from our lives, there are ways to prepare for and cope with stress before it negatively impacts your well-being.

One of the ways to help stay within your limits is knowing how and when to say “no.” Taking on more than you can handle is a guaranteed way to find yourself stressed or facing burnout. Take the time to consider whether something is beneficial for you or your farm. If it isn’t, there’s nothing wrong with prioritizing your well-being and saying “no” or “not right now.”

Other tips for managing stress

Recognize the emotional and physical signs of stress becoming too much. Writing down the signs can help.

Conduct an inventory of your stress to understand the stressful situations you can control and deal with. Learn to accept the stressors that are beyond your control.

Make time for self-care. Remember that self-care isn’t an indulgence; it’s a basic necessity for mental wellness.

Take control of your environment. Recognize situations that are stressful triggers for you and find ways to mitigate them.

Know that you’re not alone. Identify your support system and reach out to let others know how you are feeling.

Farming is incredibly rewarding, but it’s never been called easy. Knowing your limitations isn’t about taking “the easy road” and avoiding hard work. It’s about prioritizing your own well-being along with the needs of your farm.

Always remember that your farm’s success is dependent on your well-being.

For more farm safety information and resources, visit agsafetyweek.ca.

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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 it’s used correctly and safely.

“When it comes to pesticides, the crop protection industry works to support products being made, transported, and used in a safe way,” says Erin McGregor, stewardship and policy manager for Syngenta Canada. “Ensuring that pesticides are used correctly is a priority and integral to the protection of not only the health and safety of farm workers and the public, but also the environment. Syngenta is committed to the responsible and ethical management of our products throughout their life cycle.”

So, what’s the critical first step in safely using pesticides? Reading and understanding the pesticide product label. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

The importance of reading pesticide labels

Before handling any pesticide, it’s crucial that you carefully read the product’s label, which provides detailed information on how to use the product.

A pesticide product label is a legal document that must be followed. That means products should not be used in any way other than outlined on the label.

A pesticide label includes vital information on a specific product, such as the degree and nature of hazard posed by the product, the application rate, first aid procedures, required personal protective equipment (PPE) and more.

According to Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the authority responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada, pesticides can be used safely by following the label directions. The text on the label reflects the results of the scientific evaluation that the product has undergone and specifies the correct use of the product to prevent unacceptable risks to human health and the environment.

Even when working with a product that you’ve used before, review the label before use. It’s not uncommon for labels to be updated — for example, with changes to a product’s directions for use, precautions, or pre-harvest intervals.

Understanding label information

There’s a lot of information on a pesticide label, but for good reason – to support the safe use of the product. That’s why it’s critical to carefully review the label and understand each section before working with a product to ensure you use it correctly. If you have questions or difficulty understanding the label, reach out to your local agronomic representative or pesticide specialist or contact the pesticide manufacturer for help. Health Canada’s Pest Management Information Service (1-800-267-6315) is also available for questions.

Information found on a pesticide label includes:

• Precautionary shapes, signal words and hazard symbols
• First aid instructions
• Precaution statements
• PPE requirements
• Directions for use
• Restricted entry intervals, pre-harvest intervals and other restrictions
• Storage and disposal instructions
• Registration number
• Product company’s name and address

It is important to note the Pest Control Product Act’s registration number. This unique five-digit product identifier, which Health Canada issues, will help a medical professional provide the necessary treatment in an emergency.

For more detailed information about understanding a pesticide product’s label, visit CASA’s YouTube page and search up “Making Sense of Pesticide Labels.”

Pesticides and personal protective equipment

Protecting yourself by wearing the appropriate PPE is essential to safely using pesticides.

PPE is equipment or clothing worn to protect pesticide users and other workers from contact with pesticides or pesticide residues. It may include aprons, coveralls, footwear, gloves, protective eyewear, and respirators.

Pesticides are not all made equally, so it’s critical to carefully read and follow product labels to ensure you use the proper PPE. Different PPE may be required for various tasks — such as pesticide mixing, loading, application, cleanup, and entry into a treated area — and this information will be clearly outlined on the product label. What’s more, PPE requirements can vary for different pesticides since products differ in their safety requirements. So if you’re handling more than one pesticide product, choose the most protective PPE from the product labels.

But remember that PPE is only effective when used correctly.

Since you must understand all that is included on a pesticide product label, if you ever have questions about something on a label, don’t hesitate to reach out to the company that registered the product or Health Canada’s Pest Management Information Service (1-800-267-6315).

With pesticides, the product label isn’t just a guideline. Following pesticide labels to protect human health and the environment will help ensure your safety and the safety of others while also protecting your crops.

After all, our agricultural industry can only be sustainable when the products we use are well-understood and well-handled.

For more farm safety information, visit the Ag Safety Week website.

Every year, CASA raises awareness about the importance of safety on Canadian farms through Canadian Agricultural Safety Week (CASW), which takes place during the third week of March. In 2024, CASW took place March 10-16, sponsored by CN, Syngenta Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Fertilizer Canada, and Parrish & Heimbecker.

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