Safety

Basic Aspects of the Issue

It has been said that it is now more dangerous to work on a farm than to work underground in a mine, owing to the highly mechanized production scene. This has raised the issue of safety to very high levels in the rural area.

The Use of highly toxic chemicals as part of the modern farming practice has also raised concerns for both rural society and the urban areas throughout the prairies. Last year a report in the Western Producer told of a farmer who suddenly lost his crop. Scientific tests discovered that it had rained just a very little bit...enough to bring all the toxic chemicals out of the air down onto his crop, but not enough to dilute them and make the harmless. It was further found that the phenomenon could have happened at any point in Alberta.

When we consider that the pesticides got their impetus after the war as chemical warfare agents needed a new home, we get some idea of the magnitude of what we are dealing with. These chemical s play a large part in modern farming, but also pose tremendous safety concerns.

Concerns about water safety arose to prominence after the recent Walkerton disaster, and have become a focus of concern with the increase of feedlot and hog-barn operations in the Westman area. Both surface and groundwater safety are concerns of the public in rural areas.

Rural Development Institute Research Studies

• "A Rural-Urban Comparison of the Knowledge and Implementation of WHIMS Safety Regulations by Manitoba Science Teachers" - Barbra Ellen Rice
  This study was to find out of there was a difference between rural and urban safety practice in implementing the high school science safety practices according to the new standards. It was done with a view to adequacy of rural-urban communication. Rural had a bit lower scores, but accidents in both rural and urban were not related to the safety standard's requirements. This was done at a time when these new standards came into force, and a considerable communications thrust was taking place to raise awareness about them.

• "Child Care and Child Safety for Farm Children in Manitoba" - Lois M. Brockman
  This study relates to the need for childcare on the farm now due to demographic changes and the changes in farm operations. Family size is down and retirees have gone to urban centers. Risks are up and funding for childcare is a problem. The limited periods of need and erratic hours during peak seasons, along with sparse populations call for unique rural rule sets for farm day cares.

Other Resources