On-farm emergency planning

(J.M.) WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY PLAN?

(D.A.) I consider an emergency as anything that can negatively impact a farm operation, especially when it comes to the safety and care of workers, livestock, and farm property. That can be a lengthy list to prepare for, but the idea is to have a plan of action.

An emergency plan can be as straightforward as a plan to handle a fire, chemical spill, or worker injury on your farm. It can also be as simple or as intricate as needed for each operation, but no matter the details, an emergency plan is important.

Emergency planning is necessary to help manage the day-to-day risks associated with farming, and since every farm is different, a plan should be tailored to the types of emergencies that could arise. For example, grain farmers and farm workers often work alone, either in the field or around equipment. This working situation might suggest farmers should prioritize first aid training for everyone because the person they might save could be themselves. Grain farms could also face emergencies associated with fires and gases, especially with grain and chemical storage facilities. Then, there are grain entrapment and equipment operating risks. An emergency plan can even incorporate best practices for working alone, like guidelines to ensure effective communication between workers.

HOW CAN FARMERS CREATE AN EMERGENCY PLAN?

If you don’t have a plan, then start small. For example, does everyone have contact numbers for each other saved on their phone? Do you have a first aid kit and a trained user? Does everyone know where the fire extinguishers are located?

There are plenty of online resources and contacts in your local community that can help farmers customize plans. Talk to your local fire department for advice on fire prevention and preparation. They can recommend the types of extinguishers and placements. Farmers can also work with their local fire department to determine the best access routes in the case of an emergency. Some farmers even provide maps of their farms so emergency responders will know the location of fuel and chemicals or where to turn off electricity or gas sources. Planning ahead like this is just as important for your farm and the safety of emergency responders.

Taking a first aid course is another great place to start. Consider enrolling multiple family members and farm employees, not just assigning one person to the responsibility. A first aid course instructor can also recommend first aid kits and other details that may relate to the individual farm operation.

In Ontario, farmers can contact Workplace Safety and Prevention Services for a consultation to get started.

Creating an emergency plan is critical, but it is not a one-step process. A robust emergency plan should be a living document that farmers can continue to build on and update when they have time or when concerns arise. The plan should also be easily accessible and communicated to everyone who lives and works on the farm.

WHAT TYPES OF EMERGENCIES SHOULD FARMERS NEED TO PLAN FOR?

Given the nature of farming and that much of a farm’s operations are subjected to the environment and weather, planning for more extreme weather events is increasingly becoming important. Here in Ontario, farmers can be faced with windstorms and tornados, heavy rains and flash melts in the spring, snow and ice storms, and building, forest, and grass fires. Any of these events could cause a loss of power, making an emergency power generation source another consideration for on-farm emergency plans. The loss of power should be considered, especially if livestock requires water, heat, or ventilation. Or if regular business operations will be interrupted during a power loss, like running a grain dryer or elevator.

The seasonality of farms should also be accounted for when planning for emergencies. For example, incidents of urgent personal injuries tend to increase during busy periods on the farm, like seeding and harvesting, when people may be rushed, sleep deprived and moving more equipment on the road.

Taking time to reflect on what type of emergencies could impact your farm is the first step to creating an emergency plan. Your plan should be tailored to protect your family, workers and your farm.
Sandy Miller was named CEO of CASA in mid-February. Thank you to Anderson for his interim leadership. •