Farm Safety Focus of Week

Farming is physically demanding, however, it doesn't have to be physically damaging. Nova Scotia farmers must make the health and safety of workers a priority to reduce the risk of injury or being killed on the job.

In Canada each year, an average of 115 people die and another 1,500 are seriously injured in farm-related incidents.

This year's theme of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is Manage More Than Just Your Back. Taking place March 12 to 18, the week aims at prompting farmers to focus on ways to lower the risk of sprains, strains and falls on the job.

"We encourage farm owners and managers to promote safe work practices on the farm to prevent injuries and death," said Brooke Taylor, Minister of Agriculture. "I urge Nova Scotia farmers to use due diligence everyday and to create a culture of safety in the workplace."

Results from a study by the Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program shows the leading type of farm-related injuries in Canada are sprains and strains. Overexertion was the leading cause of injury followed by livestock handling, machine-related incidents and falls. The study indicated these four causes account for 84 per cent of all strain and sprain injuries sustained in agricultural work.

"Nova Scotia's agricultural industry is diverse, vibrant and vital to our economy, environment and quality of life," said Willie Versteeg, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and representative on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

"It is because of the farmers in this province that our agriculture industry is all those things and so much more, and we must continue to work to protect their health and safety."

The launch of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is Monday, March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Bible Hill, Colchester Co. The launch is being held in partnership with leading farm safety advocates.

"Working together for the common goal of health and safety in agriculture is a key role in the development and support of farm safety in Nova Scotia," said Marcel Hacault, executive director of Canadian Agricultural Safety Association. "We are very pleased to be partnering with the Minister of Agriculture, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Nova Scotia Farm Health and Safety Committee, Canadian Farmer's with Disabilities, and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the delivery of this launch."

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Week program is delivered by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association in partnership with Farm Credit Canada, Agriculture & AgriFood Canada and promoted by the Nova Scotia Farm Health & Safety Committee. More information is available at www.casa-acsa.ca