March 9, 2005

(WINNIPEG) —  Over half of farm-related fatalities happen while the victim is working alone, reveals a study by Canada’s leading authority on agricultural injuries. In Canada, 61 per cent of farms are run by single operators, meaning farmers routinely work alone. Even with larger family corporations or partnerships, farmers often work in isolation – it’s just the nature of the business. 

“The biggest problem with working alone, obviously, is getting help quickly when you need it,” says Bob Friesen, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). “This makes farm safety a necessity, not a nicety.”

“Safety is in the details” is the theme of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, March 9-15, 2005. The campaign examines the physical considerations of farm work with a special focus on seniors and what can be done to reduce the risks of injuries and fatalities. The message "Safety is in the details" encourages farmers to tell someone where he or she is working and what time he or she should be back. 

“Older farmers represent a vital portion of Canadian producers,” says Marcel Hacault, executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA). “We need to encourage safe practices that will ensure their continued good health and productivity in what is a very physically demanding industry. A safe farm is a successful farm.”

The average Canadian farmer is over 50 years old, placing greater emphasis on safety for seniors. Farmers aged 60 and over represent only 13 per cent of the farming population, but suffer 35 per cent of all agricultural fatalities and 24 per cent of agricultural hospitalizations, according to a study by the Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program (CAISP).

            “At Farm Credit Canada we believe that the owner-operator is the most valuable asset on a farm or ranch,” says John Ryan, FCC President and CEO. “We’re very pleased to offer our continued support in this campaign to help make Canadian farms and ranches a safer place to work and live.”

On average, 115 people are killed and another 1,500 are seriously injured by farm-related incidents in Canada each year - and many more minor injuries are never even reported.

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is delivered by CFA and CASA through the generous support of FCC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. More information on Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is available at www.cfa-fca.ca .