Current & up and coming Construction Health and Safety Blitz's include - Province-wide: Electrical Hazards, and Regional - Central East: Toilets / Wash up Facilities. New safety requirements related to the operation of suspended access equipment (SAE) will come into force on January 1, 2017.
2016-17 Excellence Award for Agricultural Students is now Open!
Are You Waste Wise?
Tax Credit for Farmers who Donate Food....
Have YOU thought about planting a windbreak?
Equine Guelph has launched the new Barn Fire Prevention online tool as a resource for horse owners. Responding to the high incidence of barn fires in Ontario last winter, Equine Guelph has developed a tool that is easy to use and provides horse owners with interactive assessments for their individual facilities.
Ontario's Agri-Food Sector confronts its skilled labour shortage - opportunities for educated employees abound, but are enough qualified people available?
Advancements in precision agriculture suggest that in the coming future, drones will help farmers to map weeds in their field, and improve crop yields.
How many pickup trucks does a farmer really need? Better Farming caught up with several Ontario farmers to discuss the role of the pickup truck in their lives and farming operations. Other topics in this issue include generational transitioning on the farm, soil testing, fertilizer prices, pre-harvest inspection, and radial tires.
It's the season of fall fairs. The local fall fair brings farmers and consumers together for a celebration of agriculture. A recent study indicated that three-quarters of fair attendees think that agricultural education is an important component of fair attendance.
Ontario Increases Minimum Wage: Ontario will raise the general minimum wage from $11.25 to $11.40 on Oct. 1, 2016.
This month MOL continues the mobile cranes and hoisting blitz. There is no “magic pill” solution to Health and safety performance, it is very predictable. Firstly, eliminate the hazard; secondly engineer a design solution or control. Thirdly if possible use (administrative controls) which removes the worker from the hazard, and lastly, consider Personal Protective equipment and training. Finally, after all these options are in place re-evaluate. If safety strategies do not mitigate hazards or cannot be measured, they are not improvements, and it is time to rethink your approach.
Recommendations for new barns and retrofitting existing broiler barns as recommended by The Association of Ontario Chicken Processors (AOCP), The Poultry Services Association (PSA), and the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) effective August 31, 2016
At the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's (WSIB) Annual General Meeting (AGM), an announcement was made regarding a five per cent premium rate reduction on the average rate, which will take effect January 1, 2017, enabling $250 million to remain in Ontario's economy. This represents the first premium rate reduction since 2001.
This newsletter is published six times a year to highlight important issues in Canadian employment and labour law. This month they address two issues: Taking the “High” Road - Alberta Court of Appeal Clarifies Enforcement of Drug and Alcohol Policies, and Employment Practices Liability Insurance – What’s it all about? In addition - the topic of ' Group Insurance Benefits - Avoid Dangerous Employer Liability Traps!' is being presented at a free breakfast seminar being held on Wednesday September 28, 2016.
Recent changes to construction regulations came into force July 1st and include - new drill rig regulations, enforcement of the noise regulation and reg 833 - the control of biological or chemical agent exposure in Ontario workplaces - and the new GHS WHMIS. It was also recently announced that cabinet passed the amendments to regulation 213/91 for suspended access equipment which will be coming into force on January 1st 2017. These are extensive regulatory changes that require not only information and compliance guidance for industry but also extensive training.
Almost 40,000 Ontario farms and over 100,000 adult readers received their August version of 'Better Farming' recently. You can view a digital copy here.
With the Haven fire suppression unit, fires could be extinguished before anyone even knew they had started. We are sharing this article from the recent Ontario Farmer magazine about the HAVEN Fire Safety Device. This is an additional way to protect property from fire loss. This is especially applicable to rural areas where “ seconds count “. Strategically located HAVEN fire suppression devices have the potential to prevent major fire loss. A simple idea that can save lives and property.
What would you guess is the single most important ingredient in modern food production? Good seeds? Rainfall? Fertilizer?
Ontario improving occupational health and safety outcomes & Ontario has made amendments to strengthen and clarify existing requirements relating to the use of suspended access equipment.
Wayne Woldt, Nebraska Extension agricultural engineer, explains the FAA's new regulations for small unmanned aircraft systems.
