Farm insurance is there to protect your farming equipment, barns & buildings and livestock, but the safety net that insurance provides your farm will not be there to catch you if you physically fall.
While we pride ourselves on doing everything we can to assist our farm insurance members, preventing dangerous falls on the farm is up to those who work and live on the farm.
SAFELY WORKING FROM HEIGHTS ON FARM
According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting, there were 31 fatalities resulting from falls from heights in the early 2000s, putting it in the top 10 causes of fatal accidents on the farm. (1)
It doesn’t take a very high fall to cause serious physical harm.
According to the same study, the most common locations of falls from height are:
- Ladder (or scaffolding)
- Barn loft
- Silo/grain bin
- Roof of any structure (e.g. barn)
- Bale or haystack
If you’re working from a location high enough to suffer an injury if you fall, it’s a good idea to practice safe habits such as:
- Training anyone working on the farm to use proper techniques
- Install railings around frequently accessed locations
- Use Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
- Make sure all ladders, scaffolding and other equipment you use to work from heights are tested and secure
Source 1: simplifiedsafety.com
Source 2: ihsa.ca
HOW TO SAFELY GET ON AND OFF A TRACTOR
We offer tractor insurance to help protect one of the most valuable pieces of farm equipment you own, however when it comes to operating a tractor safely only you can help ensure your safety.
As a reminder, here are some ways to safely mount and unmount your tractor:
- Always ensure the tractor has come to a complete stop on sturdy ground.
- Use the 3-point contact method by maintaining contact with the tractor with either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand at all times while mounting or dismounting (2).
- Wear close-fitting clothing and slip-resistant footwear (3).
- When possible, avoid using the tractor in poor weather conditions where slips are a higher risk (4).
- Stay seated when the tractor is in motion.
OTHER WAYS TO AVOID FALLS ON THE FARM
Falls can be a risk in most work situations, so the tips offered by safety training organizations like www.worksafetytraining.ca also apply to farms:
- Use proper footwear
- Take breaks
- Stay hydrated, especially on hot days
- Keep spaces tidy
- Move tripping hazards (cords, ropes, tools etc,.)
- Avoid working on uneven ground whenever possible
Erie Mutual Insurance proudly serves the commercial insurance, farm insurance, home insurance and auto insurance needs of members throughout Southern Ontario including Haldimand, Niagara and Hamilton.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about this or any other topic related to your insurance.
SOURCES:
1. casa-acsa.ca
2. ontario.ca
3. ccohs.ca
