No Accident

Do you know the most dangerous aspect of a farm? It's not the buildings, it's not the machinery, and it's not the livestock. It is the people.

I thought I would touch on a serious subject that many farmers take for granted- farm safety. Every year, there are numerous farm related injuries and fatalities. 35% of farm-related injuries occurred in southern Alberta. These involve farm machinery, vehicles, and animals. Machinery, such as augers and post-pounders, are responsible for numerous injuries and deaths on the farm. Animals such as cattle can be very dangerous, especially bulls. Many people are injured or killed as a result of being dragged or bucked off of a horse. Careless behaviour on ATVs can also cause serious injuries. Agriculture is Alberta's most dangerous occupation, and ranks as Canada's third most dangerous.

Augers can be deadly when caution isn't used

Unfortunately, many of the people involved in these accidents are youth. The farm is one of the only work places where young kids are involved on a daily basis. Many kids don't see the danger that is involved on a farm because many only see it as their home. This is what kids grow up doing, so many see farm work as a daily part of life, and not a dangerous job. They live, work and play all in the same place.

While a good deal of these accidents happen to children, there are still many adults involved in farm-related accidents. Are they caused my careless behaviour? Or are they just honest accidents? When it comes to safety on the farm, no accidents should ever happen.

To increase awareness and show people the dangers of life on the farm, many programs have been set up. The UFA Safety Smarts program "raises individual awareness of the many potential hazards on the farm and teaches rural children safe responses to each." Speakers visit a number of schools through the year, many of which are Hutterite colony schools. Every summer, community associations and agricultural societies put on farm safety day camps. I attended a number of these camps when I was young and found them very informative and beneficial. Also, the second week of March is  Canadian Farm Safety Week. Farm safety groups are enthusiastic and dedicated to educate youth about staying safe on their home and workplace.

Accidents are always around every corner, whether it be on the tractor in the field, vaccinating calves, or taking a skating on the dug out. But using caution and knowing where the dangers are on the farm activities can keep you safe and injury-free in the long run. So remember to work and play safe.



The farm is a great place to grow up,
 as long as their are no accidents


For more information, please visit the websites below!
http://www.abfarmsafety.com/
http://www.casa-acsa.ca/english/