ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 23 SAFETY continued on page 24 The ideal farming environment is one where production and performance are relatively free of hazards, allowing producers to excel in their chosen sectors. Yet between markets, fuel and fertilizer prices, and the weather, growers often find their attention diverted from the inherent risks of the job. Unfortunately, injuries or fatalities do occur on farms and, in the aftermath, it’s often acknowledged that greater attention should have been paid or the hazard should have been recognized. The discussions may lead to greater vigilance, yet farmers become so engrossed in “getting things done” that heightened awareness of the dangers of the job can fade. What’s needed is a more proactive stance on farm safety, which is where agencies like the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) can help. Courses and programs are available to counter the more obvious scenarios on the farm. THE HARD TRUTHS According to statistics from Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR), there were 624 on-farm fatalities from 2011 to 2020, an average of 62 per year. Machinery rollovers accounted for 28 per cent of fatalities, while vehicle runovers accounted for 33 per cent. What can be more distressing is the notion that rural emergency services are handy and available. But budget cutbacks in rural districts are limiting accessibility and training within volunteer fire departments. Many who are involved with EMS and farm safety contend that education and planning are the pressing needs, and primary producers must increase their awareness of what can happen. For example, they need site maps with utility shut-offs, clear access points, and an emphasis on advance practice to help themselves and EMS attendees. What makes this a daunting task is the increasing size and complexity of many farms, often adding buildings that require training for working at heights, lockout/ tagout procedures, or wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). “To me, on-farm safety is the prevention of physical injury, illness, and long-term harm for everyone who lives, works, or visits a farm. - Sandy Miller, executive director of CASA “To me, on-farm safety is the prevention of physical injury, illness, and long-term harm for everyone who lives, works, or visits a farm,” says Sandy Miller, executive director of CASA. She adds that it covers all activities, all stages of production, and all phases of life. “That makes it intentionally all-encompassing because modern agriculture is complex and constantly evolving.” It extends beyond planting or harvest. Farm safety now includes mental health, emergency preparedness, fire prevention, and sustainability. It’s a more proactive approach geared to prevention and anticipation instead of reacting to a hazardous situation. Miller offers a stark reminder that it takes less than 10 seconds to become entrapped by flowing grain and less than 60 seconds for full engulfment. Once trapped, self-rescue is extremely unlikely. That’s just grain entrapment; there are also electrical hazards, dangers involving biogas, and risks related to handling hay bales. It’s a taller order, especially with economic challenges, changes in legislation, and other aspects that add to the many priorities farmers must manage. “Farmers need to be able to manage their workloads safely,” she says. “We encourage people to take advantage of safety courses in their downtime. Farm safety should meet farmers where they’re at, including acknowledging busy seasons and a farmer’s availability.” Time constraints have led CASA to develop digital courses, allowing producers to complete them in their own time frames when their tasks allow. In terms of grain handling, there’s a Firefighter BeGrain Safe training program offered by the association, along with free introductory courses on grain handling and storage hazards. INDUSTRIAL RENAISSANCE? Committing to increased productivity and profitability almost mirrors a return to the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century. At least that’s the analogy Kristin Hoffman uses with farm safety. Agriculture is undergoing a revolution in many ways, with emerging technologies that may not keep pace with health and safety requirements. “The one example I have is the tractor,” says Hoffman, senior sector specialist in agriculture with WSPS. “Whether it’s an older tractor without power steering or an autonomous unit, the safety risks are
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