Nova Scotia farmers get safety help with pilot project

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) has launched a Nova Scotia FarmSafe Pilot Project aimed at helping producers implement health and safety plans on their farms.

The project, operating until March 31, 2013, involves a FarmSafe advisor trained by CASA staff to walk farm managers through the process of establishing a health and safety plan. The advisor will follow up with four on-site farm visits as well as remote assistance to ensure the farmer is properly supported throughout the year.

The health and safety plans will be based on the Canada FarmSafe Plan, CASA’s health and safety business risk management tool, while complementing existing Nova Scotia farm safety resources.

The pilot represents a significant step forward in CASA’s goal to reduce farm fatalities in Canada, said Glen Blahey, agricultural health and safety specialist at CASA.“We want to reduce farm injuries in Canada and make it as easy as possible for farmers to establish safety plans suited to their farms. By helping farmers implement the Canada FarmSafe Plan, we are really planting the seeds of health and safety within the community. If one farm can do it, so can others.”

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the country, said Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, Canada FarmSafe advisor (Nova Scotia) at CASA.

“Not only are farmers controlling costs, they are also protecting everyone who works, lives or visits that farm, including family and children,” she said.

Up to 15 farm managers may participate in the Nova Scotia pilot and farmers from across the entire province are eligible, said CASA. The cost to participate is $500 and up, depending on the number of employees. Interested farmers can contact Van Den Heuvel at (902) 893-2293 or via email at [email protected].

This project is funded in part by the federal government via Career Focus, an agricultural graduate internship program supported through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy (YES).