Extreme Home Makover and Farm Accidents

Submitted by jessica on Mon, 12/08/2008 - 00:23.

Extreme Makeover Home EditionSunday evening is usually a time where I relax and get ready organized for the next work week that lies ahead. So as I was cleaning up my kitchen and writing my weekly “to do” list I had my TV on in the background.     The ABC show Extreme Home Makeover came on and I stopped what I was doing to hear the opening story of the family who was being helped.    Apparently, the DeVries Family had a mom who had a very serious heart condition and a father who had lost his arm in a farm accident. The accident left him unable to do many of the huge projects that needed to be done around the house.

As I watched for two or three minutes it once again reminded me how many people’s lives are negatively affected by accidents. It also reminded me of how much work needs to be done in the farming industry.    According to stats agriculture is third most dangerous occupation to have in Canada (just behind mining and construction). Between 1990 and 2000 over 1000 fatalities and nearly 15, 000 work-related injuries were reported in the Canadian farm sector (remember this only accounts for the reported injuries – because farming is usually a family business many, many accidents happen without any reports being filed). 

Because these numbers are staggering it can be easy to see these accidents as just a mass problem but this story reminded me about how each number represents a story and a tragedy. And while every accident is tragic – farming injuries are most likely to occur to some of the most vulnerable parts of our society; children under five, immigrants and elderly workers.

We all want to eat North American farm products-but we depend upon immigrant, part-time and elderly workers to harvest our crops. Young workers have options to work in less dangerous sectors. The basic fundamentals of mandatory training and orientation are still ignored. The Farm Safety Association is working to educate farm operators but it will take a change in public attitude and investment in cooperative training in our rural high schools.

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Farm safety always seems to

Submitted by Rob Ellis on Mon, 12/08/2008 - 21:05.
Farm safety always seems to be the forgotten safety sector in the cities. It is rare that we ever see young adults going back to the work that maybe their father did in the rural areas. We are seeing older workers getting injured and immigrant workers filling the jobs that Canadians don't want to do.That may change with the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector-but the combination of poor wages and bad safety record may leave this industry still searching for skilled workers in the future. Great farmers continue to invest in training and make provide mandatory orientaion for all their employees-too bad we can not attract these agricultural champions [outside of government leaders] to speak to the next generation. Safe farming is a great way to earn a living -We need to get the message beyond the local fall fairs ,ploughing matches and 4H Clubs in 2009. Agricultural Leaders-Canadians need you to be more visible to the next generation.

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