Educational tool aimed at decreasing deaths at agricultural workplaces
A new Canadian farm safety awareness program for young workers is now available online.
Passport to Farm Safety is a web-based test aimed at young and new workers who are working or planning to work on farms or in other agricultural settings. It was created to help Canada address the over 110 farm fatalities and other serious, life altering injuries that occur each year, according to Safe Communities Canada, the group that launched the tool.
"Reaction to Passport to Farm Safety has been overwhelmingly positive," Sarah Goodhope, said Passport to Safety manager. "We look forward to releasing this exciting new product to a wider audience."
The program covers workplace safety basics, general WHMIS concepts and workplace rights and responsibilities. In particular, the test focuses on farm-specific hazards such as tractors, heavy machinery and working with animals.
"We feel that farm safety is a really important area that needs a more focused approach," said Goodhope. "We took our very successful general workplace safety test, the Passport to Safety Challenge for Teens, and adapted it for the agriculture industry."
Passport to Farm Safety was developed with and reviewed by farm safety experts from across Canada. Throughout September, the program was piloted in communities across the country. More information about the program can be found at www.passporttofarmsafety.com.
