Farmers and ranchers across Rocky View County hoping to improve on-the-job safety are encouraged to check out AgSafe Alberta’s FARMERS CARE program as a simple solution to garner the tools and resources to safeguard their homestead.
According to AgSafe Alberta’s website, the organization has developed two programs to aid farmers in nurturing a safety-first culture on their farm.
The first includes four-levels of safety education as part of FARMERS CARE – a solution-based program focused on addressing agricultural health and safety.
The second program includes additional tools and resources that are featured the organization’s website, including webinars, courses, and workshops, as well as FarmSafe Plan – a step-based course-of-action for farmers looking to improve the safety of their property.
When farmers are ready, they can choose to complete a farm safety audit and have their farm or ranch become certified by AgSafe Alberta.
“The FARMERS CARE program is a simple and practical way to protect what matters most on your farm or ranch – your people,” states an introductory video to the course. “This program is an easy-to-use tool that will get you thinking about and taking reasonable and achievable steps to prevent harm on your farm.”
AgSafe Alberta states on average, 18 people die each year on Alberta farms and ranches, and 90 per cent of these fatalities are family members.
Farm injuries ranging from minor to disabling are common, but not well tracked across the province, especially when it comes to family farms, according to the video.
“Things can happen to even the most experienced farmer,” the video stated. “We know that farmers and ranchers care deeply about the safety of their family members, friends, neighbours, employees, and themselves.
“We also know that farmers and ranchers have limited time and resources. This is why AgSafe Alberta created the FARMERS CARE program.”
According to AgSafe Alberta, participants in the educational course do not require any prior safety knowledge or experience to complete the program. It takes little time to complete the course, and at no cost to the participant.
“Most of us know someone who has died on a farm, and even more will know someone who has been injured or left permanently disabled,” read a statement on AgSafe Alberta’s website.
According to the website, the program is intended as a simple and effective tool to focus on agricultural health and safety hazards in a realistic way to improve farm safety.
The program is also a practical way to prevent injuries and save lives on farms and ranches.
“All that it takes is a couple of hours, a computer, tablet, or mobile device, and an internet connection,” the statement continued.
Aside from a summary report and certificate of completion, there is no paper trail, and the course does not require a “perfect score” or a “pass” to complete the program.
“It is not about being perfect,” the video stated. “It’s about starting right where you are and coming up with realistic ways to make your farm or ranch a safer place.”
The course kicks off with an introductory module to educate farmers on the various hazards across their operation and the hierarchy of hazard controls.
The subsequent modules highlight various hazards in more depth, including slips, trips, and falls; air quality; roll overs/run overs; machinery/motor vehicles hazards; energy isolation; remote work/working alone; secure loads; chemical exposure; animal handling; restricted/confined spaces; and electrocution.
Finally, the course concludes with an opportunity for the participant to provide a date by which they will commit to addressing the aforementioned hazards, along with providing the farmer/rancher the next steps to bolster the safety of their farm.
“These farm incidents don’t have to happen and can be prevented,” the video concluded. “By completing the FARMERS CARE program, you are taking care of everyone on your farm and ensuring they stay safe, healthy, and doing things they love, like farming, for years to come.”
