Dirt on Ag | October 2021


October 2021 | View Online

The number of injuries that result from slips, trips and falls generally increases as temperatures cool leading into, and through winter. Changes in weather can cause changes in surfaces causing slippery or cracked conditions and increasing the risk of slipping or tripping.

Employers and workers are reminded to regularly inspect surfaces and terrain. To learn more about these hazards in agricultural workplaces, visit the AgSafe website for Slips, Trips, Falls Resources.

Learn more about Fall Prevention Month

NEW VIDEO: Working in Extreme Weather

Agricultural workers spend a lot of time outdoors in all types of weather. Weather is a major factor in determining what jobs or tasks can be done and what controls must be in place to keep workers safe before starting a job.

In our newest video Working in Extreme Weather, AgSafe regional safety consultant D’anais Jacques talks about the hazards of working in different types of extreme weather - from heat and cold, to wind and lightning, and safety practices to help producers assess and reduce extreme weather safety risks to workers.

Watch Video: Working In Extreme Weather

Ask AgSafe!

I’ve heard that the records and documents I keep for my safety program can also be used for other programs. Is this the case?

Record keeping and paperwork is a big part of farming, and I addressed this very topic in a recent article for BC Holstein News. It saves time and effort to use a single document for as many regulatory agencies as possible. For example, in B.C. some WorkSafeBC documents can be used across the board as long as you ensure the content of the document matches what is required by the other agencies. Looking at the content being reported and documented is key and can help reduce the overall paperwork load.

If you have questions about documentation and record keeping, contact your AgSafe representative or visit the General Safety Documents section of our website.

Chad Stewart
AgSafe Regional Safety Consultant – North Okanagan

As industry events begin to return to a live format, our team is excited to be reconnecting with producers and farmers around the province.

Chad Stewart, North Okanagan regional safety consultant, will be hosting the AgSafe booth at this year’s provincial dairy industry conference and trade show.

Visit the BC Dairy Industry Conference website for tickets and information.

Want to learn more about our safety Certificate of Recognition (COR) program? Click here.

Congratulations to the first two recipients of certification from Sustainable Winegrowing BC (SWBC), Tightrope Winery and Heidi’s Peak vineyard.

SWBC is an ongoing project of the BC Wine Grape Council that manages sustainability certification as well as providing educational resources and training to help vineyards and wineries establish sustainable practices. Read the full story in Orchard & Vine.

About Sustainable Winegrowing BC

Ways to Access AgSafe Resources:

Call or email your regional Safety Consultant or Advisor.
Visit the Industry Resources page on our website to find safety information and templates related to your industry.
If you have further questions call our office at 1-877-533-1789 or email Contact@AgSafeBC.ca.
Use the Safety Ready – Self-Assessment tool help review your Health & Safety system.

Check-In Protocols

Working alone or in isolation is a necessary reality on farms and ranches. Those who work alone or remotely must be aware of the ways and means to check in.

Every workplace must have a Work Alone Plan and ensure practices are in place to safeguard those who work in isolation or on their own.

As winter sets in and the weather grows colder, following check-in protocols, including increasing the frequency of check-ins, could be the difference between life and death for an injured worker.

Watch our Working Alone or In Isolation video for more information.

COR Safety Ready ROI
Did you know that once you gain your safety Certificate of Recognition (COR) there is a discount on your WorkSafeBC premiums?

The COR Safety Ready Self-Assessment Tool can also be used to review and assess your organization’s overall health and safety program.
Calculate your ROI or premium incentive here.

Photo Courtesy of the Friesen Group of Companies

Congratulations to Severinski Farms in Pitt Meadows recently honoured by the Province with a Century Farm and Ranch Award in recognition of three generations of tradition, work and dedication to dairy farming in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. Read the CBC News interview with Kevin and Audra Severinski.

About Century Farm and Ranch Award

NEWS:
Enter to Win Set of Winter Tires from KalTire and Road Safety at Work:
Winter Driving Safety for Employers and Supervisors
Some adults are learning that their depression and anxiety may be due to an undiagnosed condition as a child. CBC News:
Woman diagnosed with ADHD in her 50s says it shouldn't have taken so long

EVENTS:
Nov 24 & 25: 2021 BC Dairy Industry Conference
Nov 24 & 26: AgEx2021 - Agricultural Excellence Conference

Here to help.

Contact AgSafe to connect with a Safety Consultant or Advisor in your area.

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