While quite different from the dangers posed by farm machinery, hazards such as loud noise or sun exposure require the same proactive attention, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association says.
Tag Archives Occupational safety and health
Health hazards are often overlooked risks on the farm
Aspects of the farming environment can pile up against your health over time, without proper protections
Understanding shoulder pain
Fit to Farm: If we don’t move in ways that keep the joint stable, our bodies will tense up to hold it in place
Posture, breathing patterns and body maintenance all affect your risk of shoulder pain, one of the most common complaints we see in the clinic.
Repairing farm equipment safely
Ag Safety: Maintenance and repair requirements are laid out with the machine operator's safety in mind
Maintenance and repairs are routine tasks on farms. Equipment breaks down, and machinery requires regular upkeep; it’s just a regular part of farming. Proper knowledge, information and tools are crucial for carrying out maintenance and repairs effectively and safely. Bill C-244, an amendment to the federal Copyright Act, allows Canadians access to vehicle, machinery and […] Read more
How to treat carpal tunnel at home
Fit to Farm: Symptoms begin when connective tissue compresses tendons and nerves in an already-busy area
Carpal tunnel is a condition that can affect anyone, anytime, though it’s especially common in those who work with their hands and do manual labour. The carpal tunnel is an anatomical term for the path the tendons in the forearm and wrist take underneath a bridge of connective tissue in the wrist moving into the […] Read more
“One decision changed my life”
A farm accident survivor on the need to keep farm kids safe
Bailey Kemery knows how quickly a farm accident can happen and change a life forever. 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 […] Read more
Data shows more needs to be done to keep kids safe on the farm
Kids FarmSafe Week, a new public awareness campaign, runs May 13-19
We can all agree that farm safety is more prominent now than a few decades ago. 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 […] Read more
Normalizing farm safety from an early age
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
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
Safety while sharing the road: it’s a two-way street
Too often, many of us overlook the fact that we might be sharing the road with agricultural equipment. We hear of traffic incidents involving motor vehicles and agricultural equipment on public roadways every year. Unfortunately, many of these incidents have severe outcomes for motorists and farm equipment operators alike. In fact, according to Canadian Agricultural […] Read more
How safe is your farm? Use this assessment tool to find out
Working day in and day out, it’s easy to go into autopilot. We all do it. However, it can lead to unwanted consequences in a hazardous environment. Documenting the potential hazards on your farm, being aware of the risks, and putting controls in place can go a long way in protecting yourself, your workers and […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
