Fewer farm deaths, but still far too many

Fewer farm deaths, but still far too many

Improvements in farm equipment cited as main reason for a slight decline in farm fatalities

Engineering improvements to farm equipment have made farming safer and are helping reduce the number of farm deaths each year in Canada — but only slightly. High numbers of farmers, their family members and farm workers still die on the job each year, according to updated data released last week by Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting

Editorial: A terrible loss

The deaths of the Bott sisters from Withrow, Alta., last week touched all of us. We extend our deepest sympathies to their family and all who knew them. The tragedy has focused attention on farm safety, particularly how dangerous the farmyard can be for young children. From some quarters of the farming community has come


grain bag

Editorial: Keep talking about farm safety

We’re going out on a limb here to say the farmers featured in this week’s front-page story are courageous, not because they survived their harrowing ordeal, but because they are talking about it. The father and son duo made a mistake that could have ended tragically. Joel Dewitz admits to feeling pretty sheepish about the

Joel Dewitz (l), his wife Nancy and son Jeff farm near Steele, North Dakota. Joel wants other farmers to know the dangers of entering a grain bag when extracting grain with a grain vacuum.

North Dakota farmers survive being shrink-wrapped in a grain bag

Joel and Jeff Dewitz are lucky to be alive — they were trapped in a grain bag while using a grain vacuum to remove spoiled grain

Farm accidents can sneak up on you. Just ask Joel Dewitz, who is telling his story to warn other farmers of the dangers of grain bags and grain vacuums. “I’m not proud of what we did, but I thought if maybe one person would happen to read the article and not do the same stupid


father and daughter farmers wearing safety vests

Safety a top priority for Fannystelle farm family

Culture of safety includes detailed policies for different equipment and monthly meetings with employees

The Nadeau farm has been in the family for over 75 years, and its current safety policies reflect the family focus. Making safe practices second nature, they’ve become champions of safety in the agricultural industry. Nadeau Farm was founded in Fannystelle by Celestin Nadeau in 1938, and in 1966 his son Gilbert expanded the business

Jocelyne Handfield Rheaume, who lost her husband to a work-related farm injury, is featured on a video prepared for Quebec’s Farm Health and Safety Week. (SiOnSavait.ca)

Ag Safety Week urges farmers to “be the difference”

Acting to improve a farm’s safety systems before a problem appears is the focus of this year’s Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, beginning Sunday. The week, running March to 21 in a co-promotion between the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) and the Federation of Agriculture (CFA) with sponsorship from Farm Credit Canada, is themed “Be the Difference.”


combing barley

‘Be the Difference’ is 2015 Ag Safety Week theme

Farm safety champion testimonials aim to inspire peers to adopt a safer work culture on Canadian farms

Be a better role model and set a higher standard for safety on your farm. That’s the message of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, which kicks off in Prince Edward Island next week, urging farmers and those who work with them to become safety champions. The education campaign, held each year on the third week of

Jeff Shaw speaking at podium

SAFE Work Manitoba creates new safety consultant position

On-farm safety consultations are now available to Manitoba producers 
to assist in establishing safer operations and help avoid pitfalls

The Manitoba government has created a new farm safety specialist position to help farmers stay safe — and avoid Workplace Health and Safety inspection infractions. “This role is a great opportunity to get some workshops back on track and help anyone who is looking for assistance in developing an on-farm safety plan,” said newly appointed


little boy in a pasture of cows

Co-operator reporter takes Farming 101 from a three-year-old expert

Brayden Decosse, three, teaches a fledgling Co-operator reporter a thing or two about farming

The skies are overcast when I drive up the Decosse family’s long gravel driveway on a Monday morning. I park in front of the house and step out to meet the resident farming expert I’ve been hearing so much about. Brayden Decosse has farmed all his life, spent long hours in the combine during harvest,

Man and woman standing in front of promo banners.

Federal government invests $3.4 million in farm safety

The funds will help the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association support education of farmers

A federal investment of $3.4 million over five years in the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) will fund more farm safety training and monitoring progress towards safer farms, officials said here last week. The funds support CASA efforts to implement the Canada FarmSafe Plan as well as initiatives such as annual national agricultural safety weeks