How to stay safe on our farms

By Angela Cammaert, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Staying safe at work is always important. That’s especially true on Ontario’s farms, which aren’t just a workplace, it’s also where those of us who farm live and raise our families.

This week is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, and as we look forward to the end of winter and start preparing for the busy spring planting season coming up, it’s a great time to brush up on farm safety.

I farm with my family near West Lorne between London and Chatham, where we raise beef cattle and grow crops. I’m also a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

Safety is important on our farm; it’s something we’ve always taken seriously, especially when it comes to making sure our kids know how to stay safe. Some of the most tragic farm accidents every year involve children, and the entire farm community has a shared responsibility to make sure everyone knows how to keep kids safe.

We’ve taken our kids to farm safety days in our community, where different groups come together to offer training on hydro and lawn mower safety for example, as well as illustrating different ways accidents can happen and be prevented on the farm.

Our kids know to wear safety glasses, stay back from running farm equipment and make sure they can be seen by drivers. Safety boots are also important, and we have taught them to follow the same safety rules on other farms as they do at home.

As well, because we have livestock, we make sure they know how to behave around animals. This means not to be running in and out of pastures where livestock are grazing and to be particularly careful during calving and lambing time.

Baby animals are cute, but they’re also likely to be watched over by a very protective cow or ewe who will step in to protect her young if she detects a threat.

Another important thing we’ve taught them is that grain bins and wagons aren’t play places. It’s easy for kids – and adults for that matter – to fall or become trapped inside, for example.

First responders aren’t always trained or have the proper equipment to handle grain bin rescues, which is why the OFA, together with many of its county and regional federations has supported grain safety and rescue training for rural first responders in many parts of Ontario through its Revive Fund initiative.

Farm safety isn’t just about kids, though. As adults, we also have a role to play in keeping ourselves and our farm employees safe.

Right now, before planting gets underway, is a great time of year to inspect and do maintenance on farm equipment to make sure everything is working correctly and safely. And while we’re working, it’s important to stay alert, avoid working when over-tired, and use proper protective gear like wearing highly visible vests.