Building a safe farm for family
Whether in a city, town or on a farm, raising a family is a challenge no matter where you call home.
When raising a family on a farm, the experience isn’t just challenging; it is also incredibly rewarding. But what makes raising kids on a farm so rewarding, is also what makes it the most challenging. That’s because raising children on a farm means they grow up where we work.
My husband and I are raising our family on a grain farm in western Saskatchewan. Our farm is located in the heart of a small farming community that is thriving because of the passion of our neighbours and friends. Our community works together to keep our local community centre flourishing, we fundraise for and support programs like the children’s playschool, and we never hesitate to help each other through tough times. We are thriving because we work together, building each other up and, in turn, our community.
Raising our children on the farm in this community has many advantages. Our children will learn what it feels like to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they will know the value of hard work and that nothing comes free. They will learn that dedication to something will always yield a return, even if that return is merely the respect of their family and peers. They’ll know where our food comes from, as well as how to respect and care for the animals and land entrusted to us. They’ll understand challenges and victories. They’ll cherish their heritage, including their pioneering grandparents and great-grandparents. I want my children to realize that every choice they make will affect everyone else around them.
When we mix our home and work lives, there can be many unknowns, especially when it comes to concerns about our children and their safety. That’s why, at the end of the day, I ask myself, “Are we doing everything we reasonably can to keep our children safe?” I survived a childhood farm injury, and that experience gives me perspective because I never want my children to feel or experience what I did. So, how do we do better? I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that I cannot fail my children by being complacent and blinded by frustration.
I know our strength lies in our family. Our family is the reason my husband and I come home at night, and why we strive to be and do better. We are constantly communicating about where we are, what we are doing, and where the kids are. My children are the reason I wear proper footwear, why I wear my
Visiting a farm isn’t without risk. Anytime people are in a situation where they could be in contact with animals, farm equipment, or other hazards, there is potential for injury.
While many farm operations are accustomed to visitors, it’s in a farm’s best interest to provide a basic orientation when they first arrive. Regardless of whether the people visiting are suppliers, contractors, or friends and family members, producers are responsible for their safety.
The good news is that developing a visitor orientation doesn’t have to be a difficult task.
Start by assessing and documenting safety risks before visitors come to your farm. Are there areas that are off limits (such as bins, crop protection storage areas, lagoons, etc.)? Are there areas of your farm that are fine for adults to visit, but not for children? Are there areas on the farm that are accessible to contractors and suppliers but not friends and family? These are all great questions to think about.
Another point to consider is any limitations a visitor might have. Walking through grassy areas with ant mounds or gopher holes might not seem too risky, but falls, especially for older adults, can lead to serious injuries and other complications. Other limitations might include lack of training or awareness on the operation of farm machinery or equipment. Keep that in mind before allowing any visitor to perform farming tasks.
It’s also good to consider personal protective equipment. Depending on the safety risks you’ve identified, any necessary personal protective equipment should be provided during the orientation (and if you’ve taken the proactive step of asking visitors to bring their own equipment, then you’re already ahead of the game). It’s also a good idea to lead a walkthrough of certain areas so that visitors get a visual understanding of where they can and cannot go, as well as an awareness of the safety risks. Remember to lead by example during the orientation and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.
Even though creating and implementing a visitor orientation takes work, it’s worth the effort in order to protect every person who visits. And that’s an important priority for all Canadian producers.