Farm Worker Safety Workshop set for Taber students
Students of Taber are receiving schooling outside of the classroom this October with a Farm Worker Safety workshop. Thanks to Agriculture for life, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry and Lethbridge College coming together to offer this course, high school students from Grades 10-12 will have the opportunity to learn more about health and safety while working on farmland on Friday.
Rural and Farm Safety Co-ordinator Sarah Linde says the workshop is a great way to help students understand the aspects involved within workplace safety and the importance of them.
“I think these workshops tackle both attitude and practical safety. We have practical safety aspects throughout the day but overall our goal is to create an attitude and culture of safety within students about workplaces where people know it’s OK to ask questions and be safe.”
This hands-on day of education is offered to students to better prepare them for a career in agriculture, while learning to be safe and avoid workrelated injuries that are seen far too often within the industry.
Because working with the farming business can at times be dangerous due to the use of heavy equipment, chemicals and unsafe work habits, this workshop is a perfect solution to educate youth on proper practices.
After the injury prevention centre released a report indicating an average of eight deaths per year occurred within the agriculture industry between persons the age of 1559, with 94 per cent of those being work related, it seemed apparent better measures could be taken to lower these numbers.
With Taber holding the first workshop of this kind last year for students, Linde says positive feedback and great opportunities made them want to bring this workshop back once again.
“Last year, we had a few teachers that stayed for the workshop and we had a lot of feedback about how great the hands-on learning opportunities were and the ability of completing credits for the certificate is a good opportunity for students to get done in this atmosphere rather than online.”
With the highest number of deaths within the industry happening due to heavy machinery, the goal of the workshop is not only to get students comfortable with these machines, but also how to use them properly to minimize the risk of injury.
The day of hands-on learning also includes lessons on hazard assessment and control, fire safety, electrical safety, personal protective equipment and emergency response planning, with all lessons taught on the day provided by local teachers and safety experts.
However, participating in these workshops has an added bonus for students besides leaning about safety.
The workshop also allows students to earn a 3000 credit, which is a significant stepping stone towards the Green Certificate program. This program is a vital industry -driven course that gives agricultural training through hands-on, out-in-the-barn and active performing procedures.
A green certificate co-ordinator says the partnership between the Young Farmer Worker Safety Days and the green certificate is a great way to get youth more knowledgeable about becoming successful within the industry.
“Like seatbelts and bicycle helmets, it takes time and practice to improve our safety culture. The partnership between Ag for Life’s Young Farmer Worker Safety program and Green Certificate is another great resource for our family farms and off-campus co-ordinators alike.”
Last year the workshop saw 35 students attend and organizers are hoping to see the same turnout once again when the workshop returns to Taber.