Communiqué is a resource that provides weekly updates on what’s happening in the world of farm safety. If you think you’ve received this email in error, please respond with an email asking to be removed from our mailing list.
Communiqué est une ressource qui offre des mises à jours hebdomadaires sur ce qui se passe dans le monde de la sécurité agricole. Si vous croyez que vous avec reçu ce courriel par erreur, veuillez répondre avec un courriel demandant que nous rayons votre nom de notre liste d’envoi.
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| May 13, 2019/ le 13 mai 2019 |
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CASA NEWS/NOUVELLES DE L'ACSA
Call for Presentations – The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) invites presentation submissions for the 2019 Annual Conference, October 8-10, 2019 in Quebec City at the Hôtel Château Laurier Québec. The presentation should be relevant to farm safety and health issues. This could include research, or initiative, project or program aimed at improving the safety and health for farmers, ranchers, farm families, workers, visitors, and farming communities. Presentation submissions are due May 31, 2019.
Appel aux présentations – L’Association canadienne de sécurité agricole (ACSA) lance un appel aux présentations pour sa conférence annuelle 2019 qui se tiendra les 8, 9 et 10 octobre à l’hôtel Château Laurier Québec à Québec. Les présentations doivent être pertinentes aux enjeux en matière de sécurité et de santé agricoles. Il peut s’agir de projets de recherche, d’initiatives, de projets ou de programmes ciblant l’amélioration de la sécurité et de la santé pour les agriculteurs, les propriétaires de ranch, les familles agricoles, les travailleurs, les visiteurs et les communautés agricoles. La date limite des propositions de présentation est le 31 mai 2019.
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CANADIAN NEWS/NOUVELLES CANADIENNES:
Ag in the Classroom Welcomes Alberta Rep on Board – highriveronline.com (AB), May 10, 2019: Agriculture for Life is joining forces with Ag in the Classroom Canada to showcase farming to Alberta students. Ag for Life brings awareness to the sector through education and farm safety programming. Luree Williamson, CEO of Ag for Life, will be joining the Ag in the Classroom Board of Directors representing her organization as the newest provincal member. Williamson says the national group has a similar mandate to their organization by delivering ag education to students and teachers.
Premises ID Helps Farmers Protect Their Animals – news.gov.bc.ca (BC), May 8, 2019: When emergencies and extreme weather events present challenges to farmers, the B.C. Premises ID program — a pillar of Canada’s national traceability system — is one tool farmers and ranchers can use to prepare for the unexpected. “Wildfires and flooding have become a devastating annual occurrence in many B.C. communities,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “Traceability programs like Premises ID have proven to be an invaluable resource in reconnecting farmers with their livestock during and after a natural disaster. It’s important for ranchers and livestock producers to register their premises to protect their animals and their businesses.”
Farm safety Includes Mental Health – mountainviewgazette.ca (AB), May 7, 2019: About 85 high school students from across the region took part in the Young Farm Workers Safety Training event at Olds College on April 29. The 14th annual event included lectures and hands-on safety training. It was put on by a committee of volunteers and safety-focused organizations. Student participants earn high school credits by completing the workshop. The event included lectures on confined space grain handling, machinery handling, power line safety, equine first aid, animal rights, fire extinguisher training, rural road travel safety, and mental health in agriculture.
Dare to Lead and Love Your Farm Family – (Editorial) grainews.ca (The Prairies), April 26, 2019: I am a big fan of Brene Brown’s work and encourage you to check out her insights. Recently I surveyed her newest book Dare To Lead (Random House 2018). When I read books I write notes at the back and then translate ideas gleaned for working with farm family communication. Brown is working to create more courageous cultures as I am with farm families. It takes courage to be vulnerable and share your deepest needs and dreams when you are feeling stuck with inaction. Are you creating what Brown calls “psychologically safe containers” for positive communication behaviours? Listening, staying curious, being honest and keeping confidences are the examples of safe actions. Let go of the negative ones like judgment, interruption, unsolicited advice giving, and sharing outside of the team meeting.
Four Tongues on Your Farm –(Editorial) grainews.ca (The Prairies), April 16, 2019: When I ask a farm family what their main desire for coaching is, the typical reply is “Better communication.” Reading Proverbs daily gives me reminders that what we say probably affects more people than any other action we take. People with a controlled tongue think before speaking, know when silence is best and give wise advice. If you want to improve communication, think about your intentions before you speak. “I am just curious, when would be a good time to talk about this conflict we can’t seem to solve?” “My intent is not to be pushy, my desire is to find clarity of expectations about the timelines for our transition plan. Can we set up a meeting with our adviser for next Tuesday?” “Is now a good time to talk, or would you like to process things a bit first, and we’ll circle back to this conversation after supper?
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS/NOUVELLES INTERNATIONALES
Farmers: Drivers Don't Understand Enormity of Farm Equipment on Roadways – augustafreepress.com (US), May 11, 2019: The average American is three generations removed from the farm, and that’s creating a problem on Virginia’s roadways. “Drivers today aren’t familiar with farm equipment, and when they approach it, they may not realize how large it is, how hard it is to pass it and how slow it travels,” explained Jonathan Grimes, a Wythe County farmer and educator. Grimes also chairs the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers farm safety subcommittee. That group has been trying to find ways to educate drivers about what to do when they encounter farm equipment on the road. Each fall they sponsor a farm equipment safety display at the State Fair of Virginia that emphasizes how large farm equipment is compared to passenger vehicles. The subcommittee also hopes to better track accidents involving farm machinery.
'Death Rates on Farms Can be Cut' – farminglife.com (UK), May 11, 2019: Death rates on farms across the UK could be halved by 2022. But the attainment of this goal will require agriculture to follow the lead set by the construction sector over the past decade. These are the firmly held views of Sallyann Mellor, a lecturer in law at Staffordshire University. The barrister told Farming Life that smaller farmers, working on their own, are more predisposed to accidents. “Everyone is very aware of the mounting pressures on these people. Challenging financial returns, poor weather and the requirement to get more work done in shorter periods of time are all factors contributing to the escalating accident rate on farms,” she said.
Farmers Welcome Touted Exit of Quad Bike Manufacturers – miragenews.com (Australia), May 10, 2019: Honda and Yamaha have announced they will cease selling quad bikes in Australia should the Australian Parliament adopt the ACCC’s recommendations to improve safety. The recommendations including the introduction of a mandatory safety standard and the fitting of operator protection devices (OPDs) and are strongly supported by the NFF. Long-time campaigner for the improvement of quad bike safety and NFF Workforce Committee Chair Charlie Armstrong, said in light of the disclosure farmers should think twice about buying from these manufacturers.
Students Learn Safety on the Farm, Yard – wilsontimes.com (US), May 9, 2019: Safety on and around the farm and rural settings was the subject of an Ag Safety Day Wednesday at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Some 140 children from Gardners and Rock Ridge elementary schools attended. This is the 16th year that the North Carolina Cooperative Extension office in Wilson County organized the event. “We are trying to get rid of some of the old traditions that we have dealing with ag equipment and lawn equipment,” said Kenyatta Dixon, a cooperative extension agent for 4-H youth development.
Quad Deaths Rise to 64 in the Last 13 Years But No Action on Mandatory Rollover Devices – stuff.co.nz (New Zealand), May 9, 2019: "You never know when it is around the corner, but it's too late when you've got a broken back. Looking back, you'd say you'd do anything to prevent it." Fairlie farmer Andrew Hurst has had several near misses riding quad bikes. The first was when he was not looking where he was going and rode into a hole. The bike fell straight over, but landed on a matagouri bush, which saved him. That is when he thought he needed something to protect him. He invested in a rollover protection device.
Meeting the Challenge of Rural Stress and Suicide – (Editorial) fb.org (US), May 8, 2019: Just a few weeks ago, a good friend of mine in Georgia, a longtime dairy farmer, took his own life. I don’t really know what led him to such a dark and desperate place; it could have been several things that have happened in his life. All I know is more and more of us in agriculture are dealing with the loss of a friend, loved one or colleague, or perhaps even dealing with an extreme and damaging level of emotional stress ourselves. One story is one too many. And unfortunately, the impact is growing. About half of rural adults say they are experiencing more mental health challenges than a year ago, according to a new survey commissioned by Farm Bureau and released last week to kick off National Mental Health Month.
California Students Participate in Safety Day – californiademocrat.com (US), May 8, 2019: Living close to lakes, ponds and rivers, many Moniteau County residents will soon leap to enjoy the cool water on a warm day. Proper safety is critical to having good experiences while floating or in a boat. Fish biologist Scott Williams with Missouri Department of Conservation told 115 California fifth-graders the most important piece of safety equipment on the water is a life jacket. Williams was one of several presenters May 1 at the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds. MU Extension and Moniteau County Soil and Water Conservation have organized the event for the county for over 10 years.
Farmers Have Britain's Most Lethal Job - Here's How to Make Them Safer – (Editorial) phys.org (UK), May 7, 2019: Britain's farmers are almost 18 times more likely to be killed on the job than the average industrial worker, and the fatality rate is increasing. Look through the government's summary of the 33 fatal farm, forestry and fishing accidents in 2017/18 and there were a number of types of fatalities such as falls, crushes, electrocutions and equipment malfunctions. Most people (but not farmers) might be surprised to learn that work with cows is particularly dangerous – "crushed by a bull" was the single most common cause of death.
Without the Farmer, There's No Farm – hpj.com (US), May 6, 2019: Mental health is just as important as animal health. “If we don’t take care of ourselves, there isn’t going to be a dairy farm in the future. You and your families are the most important resources on the whole operation.” Robert J. Fetsch, Extension specialist and professor emeritus human development and family studies at Colorado State University, recently spoke about the harder side of the dairy industry, the mental side. He addressed stress, depression, anger and suicide. The son of a dairy farmer, Fetsch knows how hard it can be. Working day in and day out in high stress environments can contribute to high anxiety, depression and suicidal thinking, he said.
Iowa Organization Works to Break Stigma of Mental Illness in Agricultural Communities – dailyiowan.com (US), May 5, 2019: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the work one center is doing will try to start a discussion about mental health and agricultural workers. The Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health has joined the effort to break the stigma around mental illness among agricultural groups. The organization has created a website, social-media pages, and hashtags to encourage individuals to seek help and learn more about mental illness. Farmers’ suicide rates are double the rate of the general population, said Jenna Gibbs, the Great Plains coordinator, and individuals living in rural communities have a difficult time seeking help.
Deaths/Décès
Fatal Farm Accident Reported in Rural Vesta – wctrib.com (US), May 10, 2019: A fatal accident was reported early Friday morning in rural Vesta. Orlean Alvin Stage, 52, died of injuries he received in the accident at a farm in rural Vesta, in Redwood County. According to the Redwood County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the farm around 12:22 a.m. Friday, on a call about an unresponsive male. No other details were given about the accident.
Safety Warning as Two Die and Two Injured in Wall Collapse on UK Farm – fginsight.com (UK), May 9, 2019: While the workers were not farmers, the incident has raised concerns about health and safety risk on-farm. Farm businesses have been urged to make farm safety a priority after two men died when a wall they were working on collapsed. The two workers were named this week as 53-year-old Peter Walker, Blackburn, and James Henderson, 48, Grangemouth, following the incident on Monday (May 6) at a farm in the Falkirk area of Scotland. Two other men, aged 21 and 36, were taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, and the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, after both obtaining serious injuries.
Former Oregon State Police Trooper Killed in Farm Accident Near Albany – oregonlive.com (US), May 8, 2019: A former Oregon State Police trooper was killed in a weekend farm accident east of Albany, according to a report. The Albany Democrat-Herald reports Kirk Burkholder, 38, was found trapped in a forklift mast. He had been unloading a 2,000-pound bag of sheep feed into a hopper at the time of the Saturday evening accident, according to the newspaper. Authorities responded, and Burkholder died at the farm.
Injuries/Blessures
St. Louis Man Flown to Grant After Lawn Mower Rollover – newarkadvocate.com (US), May 10, 2019: A St. Louisville man was flown to a Columbus hospital after his lawn mower rolled into an embankment Friday. Around 10:46 a.m., first responders were called to 8209 Berger Hollow Road NE for a reported tractor rollover. Newton Township Chief Jim Glover said Homer Prouty, who is in his mid-70's, was mowing the grass on a steep six-foot embankment near his home, when the mower rolled over on top of him.
Teen's Leg Amputated After 'Horrific' Queensland Farm Accident – brisbanetimes.com.au (Australia), May 9, 2019: Flying doctors were forced to amputate a teenager's leg after a horrific accident on a Tara farm in Queensland's Western Downs region on Thursday. Doctors believed the teen had been operating a farming vehicle when a cable, which was being towed, became snagged just before 10am. "He reportedly tried to kick the cable loose and his left leg became trapped," a LifeFlight Rescue spokeswoman said.
Pocatello Man in "Stable Condition" After Losing Part of His Leg in Farm Accident – kpvi.com (US), May 8, 2019: A Pocatello man is recovering after losing part of his leg in a farming accident. Power County Sheriff deputies responded to a 911 call around 4:30 p.m. on May 3 after learning a man had been trapped in a grain auger at McNabb Grain near the Pocatello airport. He was identified as Gator W. Troyer, 41, of Pocatello. It’s not clear how the accident occurred. When emergency crews arrived, a tourniquet was placed around Troyer’s leg, and with the help of the Pocatello fire-rescue, the Chubbuck Fire Department, Power County Fire Department, and the Power County Ambulance, Troyer was removed from the auger about an hour and 45 minutes later.
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BLOGS AND LINKS/BLOGS ET LIENS:
Canadian/Canadien
Agir en santé mentale – santesecurite.upa.qc.ca (PQ), mai 2019: C'est du 6 au 12 mai que se déroulera la Semaine de la santé mentale 2019, mise en place par l'Association canadienne pour la santé mentale (ACSM). Plus particulièrement durant ces 7 jours, on veut sensibiliser la population à l’importance de prendre soin de sa santé mentale, une responsabilité tant individuelle que collective. En 2019-2020, on vous invite à «découvrir comment voir autrement améliore le bien-être psychologique de chacun».Voyez tous les détails ici et procurez-vous des outils pour en faire la promotion!
Stay Safe Seeding – manitobacooperator.ca (MB), May 6, 2019: Spring has finally arrived, and in Manitoba that means there is a small window of time for farmers to get seed in the ground. Being prepared before you begin is critical to avoiding risk and potential fines. The Manitoba Farm Safety Program has identified ways you can ensure a successful, safe season.
International/Internationale
Farm Machinery Safety Tips From K-State – fortscott.biz (US), May 7, 2019: Machinery represents an ever-present danger on the farm. While machines save valuable time and are essential to productivity, use of farm machinery is hazardous, making them the source of most injuries and deaths on American farms and ranches.
TransFARMation: A Survivor's Journey – rrfn.com (US), May 6, 2019: Theresia Gillie of Hallock, Minnesota is a survivor. Faced with financial challenges, her husband, Keith, took his own life just over two years ago. “It isn’t something you get over, it’s something you live with.” Life has changed for Theresia. “The life I knew no longer existed. I don’t get to have my old life back.” Theresia is feeling stronger. From her own experience, she encourages others to be aware and be ready to help. “Watch out for your neighbors. Look for anything not normal. If they’re struggling, help them out.”
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EVENTS/ÉVÉNEMENTS:
Mental Health Awareness Month – Join the US Ag Centers in promoting Mental Health Awareness Month in May 2019. In response to growing concerns about the lack of resources and support for farmers, farm workers and families who are facing difficult economic conditions and higher rates of suicide in rural and agricultural communities, the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers are actively participating in Mental Health Awareness month. The campaign begins April 29 and runs through May 26.
Parachute Safe Kids Week – Taking place June 3 to 9, 2019, Parachute Safe Kids Week will focus on the topic of preventing harm from children's falls in the home and at play.Our signature activity for 2019 will be the #FallProofYourHome Challenge, where we'll encourage families to use our #FallProofYourHome Checklist to address key hazards for children that cause serious injuries from falls in the home.
ISASH Conference – June 24-27, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. The theme for 2019 is “River to River: Yielding Agricultural Health and Safety”. Registration is now open.
Ag In Motion – Ag in Motion is the largest agricultural trade show in Western Canada that provides an outdoor venue for progressive farmers that want to see and feel the latest agricultural innovations – all in one place. Ag in Motion brings innovation to the field through interactive exhibits and live field and crop plot demonstrations. The Expo was created to empower farmers by providing the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Mark your calendars! Don’t miss Ag in Motion, July 16-18, 2019, Northwest of Saskatoon, SK.
Child Agricultural Injury Prevention Workshop – Multiple dates and locations: Join us and learn how you can help safeguard children and youth who live, work and play on farms and ranches. This information can be used to develop and enhance childhood agricultural safety strategies for your organization. Interactive sessions will be facilitated by safety experts and leaders in the field of childhood agricultural injury prevention. Hosted by: National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
2019 CASA Conference Set for Québec City on October 8 to 10, 2019 – Mark the dates for CASA’s 24th annual conference and AGM at the Hôtel Château Laurier Québec in Québec City QC. The 2019 theme is Safe and Strong Farms: Build an AgSafe Canada.
La Conférence de l'ACSA de 2019 aura lieu à Québec le 8 au 10 octobre 2019 – Notez les dates pour la 24e Conférence et AGA de l’ACSA à l’Hôtel Château Laurier Québec à Québec QC. Le thème de 2019 est Des Fermes fières et sécuritaires : Bâtir un Canada AgriSécurité.
North American Agricultural Safety Summit - Raising Safety 2020 – Save the Date! North American Agricultural Safety Summit, Raising Safety 2020: Cultivating a Culture of Safety, March 19-20, 2020, at Bally's of Las Vegas, NV. The summit will match evidence-based safety interventions with production practices and emerging safety issues.
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