Agriculture producers encouraged to focus on farm safety

This is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week.

This year's theme, "Safety is our Standard" is the first of a three-year farm safety campaign; Your Farm, Your Family, Your Success.

Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations there is, with accidents occurring most often between seeding and harvest.

Stats from the Saskatchewan Farm Injury Surveillance Program at the University of Saskatchewan show that approximately 13 people are killed in farm related accidents in Saskatchewan each year.

The majority of those deaths occur in the farmyard and involve machinery and equipment.

Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister David Marit says, Agricultural Safety Week serves as an important reminder that safety in agriculture matters year-round, on and off the farm.

Farm Safety tips and responsibilities from Saskatchewan's Occupational Health and Safety Ministry can be found here. 

Alberta's Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Minister Nate Horner released a statement in recognition of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week.

He notes that on average, 85 die each year in Canada due to farm-related incidents.

"A staggering 13 per cent of these deaths are children. These tragedies are preventable."

He says employers, workers and government all have a part to play to ensure the safety of agricultural workers and their families across the province.

"So this week, I encourage farmers, ranchers and food processors to renew their commitment to worker health and safety by taking a moment to identify hazards in the workplace and creating a plan to ensure Albertans can come home at the end of each shift. These small steps could help save a life."