It’s Farm Safety Week! The Challenge for One Meaningful Change

The occupation “farmer” shows up in more than a few Top 10 lists — like “The 10 most trustworthy roles,” for example. But there’s one Top 10 list that we’d all rather not have made where farmers hold the number 9 spot. That’s the Top 10 list of most dangerous jobs in North America.

It’s this dubious distinction that makes National Farm Safety Week so important. That’s this week — March 15 to 21 — in case you haven’t heard. As part of the week, the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is encouraging farmers to be “safety champions,” and encouraging farmers to share their farm safety stories using the #GrowSafety hashtag (there are prizes, so hop to it, eh? More here). “This year, we are focusing on the power of the positive. We know that we need to engage with all Canadians to make farms safer places to work and live,” says Marcel Hacault, Executive Director of CASA. “We’re encouraging all Canadians to become farm safety champions. Health care providers, teachers, agri-business leaders, community members and farmers all play an important role in promoting farm safety.” You can find CASA on Twitter as @PlanFarmSafety.

So, give it a bit of thought. What’s one change you could make on your farm that would move the needle on safety? How about more training and tougher rules on ATV use (more about ATV safety can be found www.canadasafetycouncil.org). Or perhaps it’s powerlines, highway safety with large equipment or new rules around livestock? Farmers weigh-in, here:

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