9 | WSPS.CA/AnnualReport
The most important asset on a farm is the farmer
Recognizing the mental health challenges experienced by those who work
in the agriculture sector, WSPS launched an agriculture-specific page on its
ThinkMentalHealth.ca website. The page features links to helpful resources
and simple steps people can take to help those in the farming community
who are struggling with mental health-related issues.
Reaching out to agricultural workplaces
On an ongoing basis, WSPS spreads the safety message through collaboration
with prevention system partners, agricultural associations, and community
organizations. Here are some pandemic-related examples from 2020/21:
Strategies for Agricultural Workers Affected by COVID-19: A System Partners
Presentation (September 2020) – WSPS, WSIB and MLTSD partnered on this
free webinar, addressing topics such as legal issues, communication, claims
management, and more
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association Safety Connection
(OFVGA) (January 2021) – WSPS held a special Safety Connection event
exclusively for members of OFVGA. The topic was "Health and Safety and
Financial Assistance to Improve your On-farm Workplace Safety during
COVID-19 and Beyond: A Panel Discussion". The event also provided insight
into how the WSIB Health & Safety Excellence program and OMAFRA
incentives can help businesses as they move forward during the pandemic
Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention (February 2021) –
WSPS consultants spoke at this event, with close to 70 attendees from across the
province. The topic was "COVID-19, Safety Management and Your Next Event"
Physical distancing in action
Each year, WSPS conducts an awareness session – usually in the lunchroom
—at JPC Farms, a dairy farm in Mitchell, Ontario. Realizing that physical
distancing could not be maintained inside, WSPS Health and Safety
Consultant Jay Remsik and the team at the farm decided to move the
November 2020 session outdoors to the bale storage area.
