Canada Safety Council has highlighted the importance of diligence and safety on the farm for over 35 years. Public awareness of safety issues and concerns surrounding farming is especially vital since most farms are family operations and the home becomes an industrial worksite.
Farmers and agricultural workers of all stripes are unsung heroes in our daily lives. Their efforts to provide the nation with crops, livestock and sustainable sources of food require hard work that often includes specific safety risks in. As a result, specific safety...
Throughout the past century, much has evolved in the agricultural industry – and this is most obvious when we look at the machinery that farmers count on to make their day-to-day tasks easier. From power steering in tractors to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) becoming an...
Farming is a very rewarding, important and invaluable industry in Canada. But for all of its benefits, it is also one of the most dangerous industries, and the reality of the profession is that children are often around the workplace. This means exposure to hazards...
Does an idyllic childhood in the country have to involve quads? For Moose Jaw, Sask., farmer Julie-Anne Howe and other safety-minded parents, the answer is no. Of allowing her children to ride quads, “it’s just not a smart decision in my world,” Howe says. Most...
Farms across Canada vary in size, what they produce and how many people they employ. But like all other workplaces, there are inherent on-the-job safety hazards that need to be addressed in order to prevent injuries and save lives. Agriculture ranks the fourth most...
As society evolves, some professions come and go. For instance, there aren’t very many elevator operators in the world anymore. Gone are the days of town criers. You won’t see many librarians organizing their microfiche catalogues, nor are VHS repair technicians in...
With the final days of winter stretching into the first vestiges of spring, farming season can’t be too close behind. Farm owners and workers across the country are starting to ramp back up to full operating power, dusting off the machines and preparing for the...
A 2013 ATV accident claimed the life of Tony Unholzer, shown in the top centre of this family portrait. His widow, Julie Unholzer, shares her family’s story in the hopes it will help other farmers prevent similar tragedies. On Sept. 9, 2013, dairy farmer Anthony...
Economical, versatile and fun, all-terrain vehicles have long been indispensable tools on Canadian farms and ranches. But as the size, power and popularity of ATVs has increased, so too has the potential for serious injuries. This National Farm Safety Week, why not...
Picture a farm and you might imagine a quaint, wholesome place complete with green tractors, baby animals and hay bales. While this picture is idealistic, the tragic reality is that farms can be deadly places for their occupants, workers and visitors. Machinery...