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Injury Prevention Resources - General Safety

Farming | Ranching | Commodities (Producers) | Greenhouses and Nurseries | Orchards and Vineyards | General Safety

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the agriculture industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

Using Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in Agriculture

This downloadable booklet provides a brief overview of how to use the OHS Regulation in agriculture. It is meant for farmers, ranchers, health and safety coordinators, safety committeees and other concerned with health and safety in agriculture. Topics include how the Regulation is organized and where agriculture fits in it as well as how the Regulation will be implemented and the parts that apply to agriculture.
Source: FARSHA (Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association) and WorkSafeBC.
* PDF (366 KB)

FARSHA (Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association)

FARSHA has a comprehensive collection of videos, training kits, presentation packages and written materials that are available to British Columbia agricultural workers.
Source: FARSHA (Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association)
* FARSHA Resources

Facility Design for Pesticide Storage

This document is an excerpt from the WorkSafeBC publication Standard Practices for Pesticide Applicators. The storage design criteria are referred to in section 6.101 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (118 KB)

Working Safely with OPS (Organo-Phosphate Insecticides) BK15

Organo-phosphate insecticides are a type of pesticide used to kill or control insects. This booklet explains how OPs affect human health and what employers, supervisors, and workers must do to work safely with OPs. This booklet also deals with OPs labelling, personal protective equipment, and employer's, supervisor's, and workers' responsibilities.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (452 KB)

Agricultural Safety Checklist: A Guide for Farmers, Ranchers and Workers PH63

This pamphlet covers the areas of farming and ranching where most accidents occur. Topics covered include pesticides; hazardous substances; tools, machinery, and equipment; confined spaces; and health and safety regulations. By completing the checklist, you will become familiar with the regulations covering your farm or ranch and learn how you can prevent injury.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (246 KB)

A Hantavirus Exposure Control Program for Employers and Workers BK74

This booklet is intended for employers and workers who may come into contact with rodents, or rodent droppings, while on the job. It contains guidelines for employers on preventing hantavirus infections and putting in place an exposure control program (ECP) to minimize potential worker exposure to rodents, or rodent droppings, contaminated with hantavirus. It also contains sample work procedures that employers can adapt to their specific work situations.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (254 KB)
Updated: October 2006

Pesticide Safety for Field Workers

This pamphlet, which unfolds into a 9" x 16" poster, outlines the basic rules to follow when applying pesticides. The pamphlet is available with English on one side and French on the other (PH31) or with English and Punjabi (PH31B).
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Available from FARSHA.

Effective Health and Safety Programs: The Key to a Safe Workplace and Defence of Due Diligence PH33

This guide defines due diligence; explains how WorkSafeBC assesses compliance; identifies the elements of a health and safety program; and explains how health and safety programs help establish due diligence.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (532 KB)
Updated: December 2005
* Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.
* Due Diligence Checklist (PDF 29 KB)

3 Steps to Effective Worker Education and Training BK42

This guide is meant to help employers and supervisors keep new and young workers safe on the job --- and prevent painful and costly workrelated injuries. This guide consists of three basic steps that will help you accomplish this. The three steps are as follows:
    1. Provide new and young workers with safety orientation and basic training before they start working.
    2. Train new and young workers for tasks specific to their jobs.
    3. Provide supervision and ongoing training for workers to ensure that they continue to work safely.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (680 KB)
    Last Updated: August 2007
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.

    Hear for Good: Preventing Exposure at Work PH9

    This pamphlet explains noise-induced hearing loss, noise control, and hearing protection. It also covers different types of hearing protection and how to fit and care for hearing protection.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (257 KB)
    Updated: May 2006
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.

    Investigation of Accidents and Diseases - Reference Guide and Workbook

    Discusses concepts and methods for implementing and performing effective investigations in the workplace.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (1 MB)

    Sound Advice: A Guide to Hearing Conservation Programs BK12

    This guide explains what is required of a hearing conservation program and provides general information on implementing a hearing conservation program.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (1 MB)
    Updated: May 2006
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.

    Working Safely Around Electricity BK19

    This booklet explains the dangers of working on and around energized low- and high-voltage equipment and conductors. It is written for supervisors and workers who work around and with electrical circuits and near power lines as part of their job and who are familiar with the basic hazards of electrical contact. The three sections include the dangers of low-voltage contact, the dangers of high-voltage contact, and how to deal with electrical injuries. Workers who work around electrical conductors, such as painters and equipment operators, and who are unfamiliar with all the hazards of electrical contact, will also find the information in this booklet useful.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (2 MB)
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos, and Forms Distribution.

    updated Lockout BK21

    This booklet defines lockout, explains lockout policy and procedures, and provides guidance on compliance with Regulation requirements.
    Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
    * PDF (2 MB) (Updated: September 2005)
    * Available in Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
    * Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

    Additional Resources

    CANADIAN RESOURCES

    Centre for Agriculture Medicine
    The mission of the Centre "is to conduct and stimulate research, education and health promotion programs aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of agricultural and rural populations."
    Source: Centre for Agriculture Medicine

    Saskatchewan Farm Safety
    "Saskatchewan Labour's Farm Safety Program works with many partners to prevent injuries and promote safe work practices on the farm through: presentations for the schools and public; exhibits and trade shows; information for the media; resource information for the public; and a statistical database on Saskatchewan farm fatalities."
    Source: Saskatchewan Farm Safety

    Canadian Agriculture Injury Surveillance Program (CAISP)
    CAISP was established in 1995 in response to the need for better information about fatal and hospitalized agricultural injuries. CAISP has partners in each of the ten Canadian provinces. CAISP provides agricultural information including technical and national reports on serious accidents, injuries and fatalities.
    Source: CAISP (Canadian Agriculture Injury Surveillance Program)

    NIOSH and CDC

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Agricultural Centres
    "The Centers for Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention represent a major NIOSH effort to protect the health and safety of agricultural workers and their families. The NIOSH Agricultural Centers were established as part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / NIOSH Agricultural Health and Safety Initiative in 1990. The Centers were established by cooperative agreement to conduct research, education, and prevention projects to address the nation's pressing agricultural health and safety problems."
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) - Health and Safety Publications
    "Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. The NIOSH site contains a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH."
    Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

    National Ag Safety Database (NASD)
    "The information contained in NASD was contributed by safety professionals and organizations from across the nation. Specifically, the objectives of the NASD project are:
    • to provide a national resource for the dissemination of information;
    • to educate workers and managers about occupational hazards associated with agriculture-related injuries, deaths and illnesses;
    • to provide prevention information;
    • to promote the consideration of safety and health issues in agricultural operations;
    • to provide a convenient way for members of the agricultural safety and health community to share educational and research materials with their colleagues."
    Source: NASD (National Ag Safety Database)

    OTHER U.S. RESOURCES

    Cultivate a Safe Workplace! Smart Practices for Agriculture WorkersPDF (703 KB)
    "This guide offers safe practices for 39 work-related topics that can help you achieve a safe workplace. They're "smart" because they help remind you - and your employees - about workplace hazards and ways to avoid them. Smart practices and safe practices."
    Source: OR-OSHA (Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division)

    National Safety Council - Agriculture Safety
    The National Safety Council is a recognized leader in providing safety and health solutions for reducing unintentional deaths and disabling injuries. The NSC offers a number of agricultural resources and programs along with a series of agricultural safety lesson plans designed to heighten public knowledge.
    Source: National Safety Council

    National Safety Council - Agriculture Safety Fact Sheets
    "Fact sheets are handy resource guides offering stats, tips, and suggestions for making your life safer."
    Source: National Safety Council

    AUSTRALIAN RESOURCES

    Farmsafe Australia Inc.
    "Farmsafe Australia is the association of national agencies that share a common interest in farm safety with state Farmsafe organisations. The vision that is shared by all Farmsafe Australia members is Productive Australian farms, free from health and safety risk."
    Source: Farmsafe Australia Inc.



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