Canada FarmSafe Plan Glen G. Blahey, CRSP

…What We Know

Operations with hired help (55%) are more likely to order safety options such as ladder cages, than those without employees (46%). Three in ten (29%) of those who replied feel a need for additional agriculture resources, believe it is easy to find additional resources.

… What We Know Theorem of Risk Perception in Rural Males Safety Choices = Effort Saved X Bragging Rights / Probability of Public Humiliation Bruce Philp, Canadian Business Guru

What We Have Learned From Others Canadian OSH Regulators – Health and safety programs are required in most workplaces with multiple employees International Colleagues – Structured, sequenced guidance works The agricultural business community – Business Risk Management is considered in every aspect of production agriculture except occupational health and safety Other ‘programs’ have already documented many safety and health aspects -OFFS

What We Need Different approach – recipe book not checklists Definition of benefits Flexibility for adaptation

What we need to think about Business Risk Management Loss Prevention Legal implications (civil) Regulatory expectations Personal impact Disability Emotional impact

What We Have Built A Four Element Plan to Guide Producer’s Development of a Health and Safety Plan to minimize business risk due to occupational injuries and illnesses – Written Commitment to Health and Safety – A Process for Risk Assessment – A Strategy for Hazard Control – A Process for Communicating Responsibilities Supported with examples, templates and references

Health and Safety Commitment Reflecting – Health and safety philosophy of the operation – Substandard health and safety performance is unacceptable – Commitment to prevention of occupational injuries and illnesses – Responsibility and accountability for the program – Shared responsibility for everyone’s protection

Risk Assessment Hazards will be identified and the degree of risk they present will be assessed for: – Personal wellness,- Chemical, – Biological,- Physical, – Ergonomic, and- Psycho-social hazards This information will form the foundation for the development of Control Strategies

Hazard Control Strategies Confidential Wellness Assessment form Standard Operation Practices templates Emergency Planning Guide Training – Orientation, isSOP’s & Tailgate Talks Incident Reporting & Investigations (Records Management)

Communicating Responsibilities… Accountability for – Farm owner / manager / family – Employees – Contractors – Service Providers – Supply Chain Reps and other visitors to the farm

… Communicating Responsibilities Communications – Orientation – Regular ‘tailgate talks’ – Periodic safety meetings – Encouraged hazard reporting – Record keeping

Templates and Examples Templates for record keeping – Orientation- Certification – Specific training / isSOP- Haz Mat inventory – First Aid / injury incidents- Pre-op logs – Service logs- Hazard reports – Contractor checklist- Emergency plan – Incident investigation guide

Review Safety plans must be dynamic Change in agriculture is constant Agricultural occupational health and safety supports are increasing

Supporting Resources How to conduct your own on-farm safety inspection Safety and health orientation for seasonal ag workers Safety and heath orientation for dairy barn workers Understanding confined spaces and their hazards Adaptable tailgate talks ATV Safety for Agricultural Work Tractor and Farm Machinery Safety Etc.

Questions

w Thank You Glen G. Blahey, CRSP 3325 – C Pembina Highway Winnipeg MB R3V 0A2 Tel: Fax: