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9 | WSPS.CA/AnnualReport — " — It's often the kids who really process the information and bring it home. They'll go back and keep their parents on their toes, encouraging them to break unsafe habits. Linda Freiburger, farm operator and member of the WSPS Rural Advisory Group — " — Spreading the safety message to FARMING COMMUNITIES In 2010, the Farm Safety Association became part of WSPS. Since then, WSPS has been dedicated to finding new ways to help agricultural communities improve the safety of farming operations. Almost 98% of Ontario farms are micro businesses with no or fewer than five employees. 1 They look for easy-to-use, low-cost health and safety solutions and in 2017, WSPS focused on getting them the information they need through refreshed communication and distribution channels. Responding to the need for resources, WSPS created The Farm Safety website at WSPS.CA/FarmSafety. It provides links to safety aids such as a do-it-yourself Farm Safety Starter Kit with simple templates, guides and tips that assist farm operators in understanding their responsibilities. WSPS is also committed to educating farmers on risks such as large animal handling, grain entrapment, working with tractors and other farm-related hazards. In 2017, the association began utilizing a new series of conversation starters to raise awareness at community and industry events. "It's often the kids who really process the information and bring it home," says Linda Freiburger, a farm operator and member of the WSPS Rural Advisory Group. "They'll go back and keep their parents on their toes, encouraging them to break unsafe habits." Also launched by WSPS in 2017 was the Farm Safety Gazette, a newsletter focused on agriculture- related topics, complete with an Ask the Expert section offering advice from a WSPS consultant. The broadsheet format allows readers to post articles in the workplace. One of the most effective ways to spread the safety message is through partnerships with community organizations. In 2017, WSPS established 44 new partnerships, distributed more than 90,000 resource materials and left 250,000 impressions through partner awareness education channels. 1 1 Based on WSIB and Ontario Federation of Agriculture data. CONTRIBUTORS Michael Wilson, Jay Remsik, Sheila James, Kristin Ho man Advisors Dean Anderson & Sandy Miller Printed on Rolland Enviro and manufactured using Processed Chlorine Free, Contact WSPS at 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) Visit wsps.ca/farmsafety FSC FPO use Recycled Farm Safety Updates A time of year when dead tired can live up to its literal meaning "It's day 15 of a harvest and you're two workers short" says Jay Remsik. "It's a situation familiar to many farmers who end up taking on the extra workload themselves or tax their existing team to pick up the slack." Jay is a consultant with WSPS who has worked in the occupational health & safety fi eld for close to 19 years. His focus has been on the agricultural and landscaping sectors, with agriculture something that has been in his life a lot longer. His fi rst job was as a corn detassler at the ripe old age of 10. The resulting fatigue is the prime causal factor for some of the most devastating injuries and fatalities that occur in agriculture and horticulture. "Operating equipment with potentially hazardous components require full concentration when we are fully alert given all the distractions we deal with," remarks Remsik. "When you throw fatigue into the mix, the risk increases drastically." Along with decreased reaction time and other adverse physiological responses, fatigue leads some individuals to take short cuts and other behavior that can prove to be hazardous. TIPS TO MITIGATE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FATIGUE Take regular breaks. "Make sure you still take regular breaks to rest — even short ones are better than none at all. Stretch and move around if you're in a combine or tractor for long hours," advises Remsik. "This has the added benefi t of preventing a potential MSD hazard due to static posture over a long duration." Monitor your team's performance. It's important to monitor those around you. Look out for visual cues like heads nodding or constant yawning. These are obvious signs that someone is not on top of their game and should not be taken for granted, especially in the context of tasks involving hazardous machinery. Step in and encourage them, if not force them to rest. Operating vehicles are in working order. "If you're working long nights during a busy season, make sure any vehicles you are driving have proper lights and signage (SMV) so you can see well and can also be seen." For more information on farm safety, visit our website wsps.ca/farmsafety" T oday's ag supervisor has a lot on their mind. Along with core business priorities, they have to be sure their teams work healthy and safe. Given the cultural dynamics at play in some ag operations, that could mean going against the grain of multi-generational habits that might not stand the test of time from a safety perspective. If so, this is one more area where the supervisor must play a key role. At its most basic, a supervisor's job is to tell workers about the hazards of their job and respond to their concerns. Sounds simple enough but not that easy to execute in any environment and that certainly includes farms. Ag supervisors need to ensure that everyone who reports to them recognizes that workplace safety is an important component in their contribution to the health, wellbeing and profi tability of their workplace. Given the freewheeling nature that the occasional worker either born into or attracted to the farming lifestyle might have, the concept of following safety rules may seem foreign. It's a supervisor's job to convince them that there are many good reasons to work safe and then monitor their activity to make sure they are compliant. WALKING THE TALK A great way for supervisors to convey this is by walking the talk and being good safety role models. This is sometimes easier said than done in situations where supervisors may be demonstrating habits they acquired when health and safety wasn't the priority it is now. If the supervisor takes shortcuts, you can be sure their workers will do the same. The concept of something happening in literal terms. Not so on the farm. At full speed, a power take-o— (PTO) operates second. And each one of those rotations has of a second. A split second to change a life the unfortunate individual to succumb to even their communities as well. Yet each year or worse, are touched by them in our own While entanglement injuries and fatalities Agricultural Safety Association statistics show time frame. For many operations, this time are working their hardest and longest hours, often a key causal factor. Just one short lapse sleeve can set a chain reaction in motion with "It's important to stop and evaluate hazards around any given machine. mechanical hazards, ask yourself the movement and can it hurt — Michael He also recommends doing a full check-out changed since the last time you used it. Is been modifi ed or that someone has done a piece of guarding? Guarding is always there to tragic results. He walked slowly and carefully. He placing both feet on each riser before While the above sounds like the actions of year old farmer dealing with a musculoskeletal simple act of lifting a single bale of hay incorrectly. young man to go down in battle but one that MSDs in agriculture are generally caused posture, force, and repetition as well as vibration arms and hands. It can be ground and low kneeling while harvesting produce, handling Manual material handling is also a leading lifting, pushing and pulling when handling One cause e— ects body vibration combines, arm vibration livestock, Throw especially harvest can be technique. when course pain and Musculoskeletal Disorder Sometimes small to big consequences Entanglement Keep your hands Or else. This is especially critical in dealing with new and young workers who are watching every move their supervisor makes. Given their higher than average injury rate, they need to have a clear understanding of what the dangers are on the job and you as their supervisor have to have a complete understanding of what they know and don't know, especially young workers who believe they can 'fi gure out' anything. Establishing ongoing dialogue and open communication are key tools to both learn about your team and get them engaged in the safety process. IF A WORKER GETS HURT Supervisors also need to know exactly what to do if a worker gets hurt — do fi rst aid, tell the employer/owner and make sure the worker get the appropriate action. That may be being taken to a doctor or straight to emergency by ambulance. On their return, depending on the nature of their injuries, the supervisor may need to assign them modifi ed work duties. By doing a good job of communicating the necessity of being compliant with the law and being convincing in sharing all the good reasons to do so, today's ag supervisor will be well on their way to leading a team that goes home healthy and safe after every shift. For more information on supervisor responsibilities, visit our website https:// bit.ly/2GHMxWY• Jay Remsik WSPS Consultant Summer 2018 | Volume 1 | Issue 2 Read it, post it! NEW FORMAT! the expert! the ASK Supervisors Rising to the challenge of leading farm safety EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AVAILABLE The Progressive Agriculture Foundation® is dedicated to bringing safety and health information to farming communities. At the heart of this eŽ ort is the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program. WSPS Volunteers are active participants in the Safety Days program. This educational program provides training and resources for local communities to conduct one- day safety and health programs. Safety Days are designed to be age-appropriate, hands-on, fun, and safe for children. For the list of 2018 Safety Days, visit https://bit.ly/2KOqrEy. 800-AGY-01-IADO-2018-AGRI FrmSfty Gztt Summer_Final.indd 1

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