Canada FarmSafe PlanGlen G. Blahey, CRSP

…What We Know

Why not practice safety measures?

35%31%

15%10% 8% 3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Old habits Takes too muchtime

Feel it isunnecessary

Is too costly Other (specify) No training

… 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 ResponsibilitiesSupported 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

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Thank YouGlen G. Blahey, CRSP

3325 – C Pembina HighwayWinnipeg MB R3V 0A2

Tel: 1-877-452-2272Fax: 1-877-261-5004Email: gblahey@casa-acsa.ca