Keystone Agriculture Producers to Head Up Farm Safety Initiative

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Manitoba’s Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is establishing a new farm safety program to provide practical, on-farm expertise, resources, and training to enhance on-farm safety. The program is made possible through joint federal and provincial government funding of more than $432,000 over two years.

The farm safety program will offer access to agriculture industry-specific information to ensure agriculture employers understand the regulations, rights, and responsibilities around safe workplaces and to identify safety risks on their farms, according to a press release.

SAFE Work Manitoba is a project partner and will provide funding, expertise and other resources to support the initiative, as well.

Services will include:

  • Information and resources on health and safety regulations, risk-specific tip sheets and signage and basic safety orientation for farm workers, supervisors and owners;
  • On-site safety advisors who will work directly with farm businesses to identify and address farm risks;
  • Commodity-specific farm safety workshops; and
  • Safety awareness training for farm workers and supervisors, as well as hazard-specific training.

The program will be administered by KAP, with leadership and guidance provided by a Manitoba farm safety council.  It will include representatives from a number of agriculture stakeholders, as well as organizations focused on workplace safety and health.

“Our goal is to provide resources for farmers that are practical,” says Dan Mazier, KAP president.  “Rather than just telling them to read through safety regulations, we are making someone available to show them what they can do to reduce accidents on their farms and comply with provincial regulations.”

Work to establish the program will begin immediately. Funding will be provided through the Growing Forward 2 – Growing Actions program, which supports industry-led initiatives to increase competitiveness and develop innovative solutions for agricultural organizations.

KAP is Manitoba’s general farm policy organization, representing farmers and commodity organizations from across the province.  For more information about KAP, visit www.kap.mb.ca.

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