\"FARM SAFETY MAKES SENSE\" IS 2004 AGRICULTURAL SAFETY WEEK THEME

The need to work, play and live safely on the farm will be the focus of Agricultural Safety Week, March 10th – 17th.

This year's Agricultural Safety Week theme is "Farm Safety Makes Sense" and draws attention to both the suffering of victims and their families and the financial costs of farm injuries and fatalities.

"Agricultural Safety Week encourages Saskatchewan farm families to put safety first at all times, whether working with machinery, livestock, pesticides or other equipment," Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Mark Wartman said.

"Safe farming does indeed make sense," Labour Minister Deb Higgins said. "Nothing is worth the pain that families go through when there is a death or injury on the farm."

The Saskatchewan Safety Council (SSC) reports that 12 to 15 people a year are killed in the province, and another 180 to 200 hospitalized, as a result of farm-related injuries.

"The Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program estimates that the total cost to the Canadian economy from farm fatalities and injuries is between $200 and $300 million annually," SSC Farm Safety Promotions Administrator Patrick Kurtz said.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-4031	Patrick Kurtz Saskatchewan Safety Council Regina Phone: (306)757-3197
Dallas Mcquarrie Labour Regina Phone: (306)787-3637