PROVINCE PROCLAIMS MARCH 10-16 AGRICULTURAL SAFETY WEEK IN SASKATCHEWAN

Today, Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart and Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan proclaimed Agricultural Safety Week in Saskatchewan, March 10-16.

“There are risks in farming and ranching and we want to remind our province’s producers to take the steps necessary to keep themselves and their families safe,” Stewart said.  “Agriculture safety should be a priority to ensure the continued success of the industry.”

The week is held in conjunction with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, a partnership between the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, with financial support from Farm Credit Canada and federal and provincial governments.  The theme of this year’s week is “Get with the Plan!”, which focuses on encouraging farmers to develop written health and safety plans for their operations.

Saskatchewan Agriculture provides $70,000 in funding to the Agricultural Health and Safety Network, an affiliation of the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, which provides agricultural health and safety programming to over half of the farm families in Saskatchewan.  More than 200 rural municipalities contribute funding to these projects.  Saskatchewan Agriculture also provides $30,000 in funding to the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions for farm safety workshops for youth.

“The health and safety of farmers and farm employees is a priority for the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety,” Morgan said.  “Each year, approximately 14 people are killed and many others are injured on farms in incidents that could have been prevented.  Our Farm Safety Program works with many partners to prevent injuries and to promote safe work practices on the farm through public education and resources.”

To read more about farm safety and to access the Farm Safety Guide, please visit www.lrws.gov.sk.ca/farm-safety.

Agricultural Safety Week is supported by numerous agricultural organizations in the province, including the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and the Farmers with Disabilities Program of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council.

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For more information, contact:

Cory Kolt
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: cory.kolt@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-0521

Daniela Machuca
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3716