| The Network News | Spring 1998 |
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Reflections........ Celebrating 10 years at the Agricultural Health and Safety Network
The opportunity to explore this idea with a group of councillors and ratepayers
came in the spring of 1988. Dr. Dosman presented the idea that he and Mr.
Thiessen had discussed at the annual ratepayers' meeting in the R.M. of Round
Valley, #410, in Unity. He invited those present to be the first to join the
Agricultural Health and Safety Network, a municipality based and financially
self supporting program, to provide grassroots support for the work of the
Centre and to establish an outreach program aimed at preventing illness and
injury among Saskatchewan farmers. By a majority vote at that meeting, the R.M.
of Round Valley, #410 became the Network's first member. Councillors approached
each family in their division to join the Network through a donation of $10
each. In that first year, the R.M. of Lumsden #189, Biggar #347, Fish Creek
#402, St. Peter #369 and Aberdeen #373 joined bringing the initial membership to
six.
Following the completion of his term as S.A.R.M. president in 1988, Mr. Thiessen
was recruited by Dr. Dosman to assist in developing the Network. The purpose and
function of the Network evolved in response to hours of discussion with
municipal councils. The initial philosophy of the Network was that no active
membership recruitment would occur but when a R.M. expressed interest and
extended an invitation for disscussion, someone would attend a meeting. Most
often during the early years, the person who responded to that invitation was
Mr. Thiessen. The present success of the Network is a tribute to the hard work,
dedication, patience, and wisdom of Mr. Ike Thiessen. His gentle nature and
genuine concern for the health and well-being of farm families in Saskatchewan
continues to inspire those involved with the Network.
Network governance has also changed over the decade. Initially, Dr. Dosman, Mr.
Thiessen and Dr. Helen McDuffie provided the direction. Since 1990, an annual
meeting for Network members has been held during the annual S.A.R.M. convention.
In 1993, the first Municipal Steering committee was elected form member councils
to advise Network staff and oversee the structure, function and programs of the
Network. Mr. Brooklyn Anderson, R.M. of Indian Head #156, was the first chair of
the steering committee. Current chair and representative for Division 5, is Mrs.
Sherry Clavelle, R.M. of Aberdeen #373. Past and Current representatives from
the divisions of S.A.R.M. are:
Mr. Brooklyn Anderson, R.M. of Indian Head #156, (1993-1997) Mr. Robert Banbury, R.M. of Wolseley #155, (1997-present)
Division 2:
Division 3:
Division 4:
Division 5:
Division 6: The advice of the Municipal Steering committee has resulted in significant changes in the philosophy of the Network. In 1995, in conjunction with the 90th Anniversary celebrations of S.A.R.M., a membership campaign was announced with a goal of the 90 R.M.'s. For the first time, municipalities were actively recruited. Mrs. Rose Yaworski made personal contact with approximately 80 municipal councils. At the 1996 S.A.R.M. conference, Dr. Dosman announced that the Network membership stood at 91 R.M.'s This goal was attained only through the support of many individuals. Underlying these efforts was the unflagging support of the S.A.R.M. under the leadership of Mr. Thiessen, Mr. Bernard Kirwin and current president, Mr. Sinclair Harrison. Most important has been, and continues to be the unfailing moral and financial support of Network members. The menu of educational resources and prevention programs available to Network members has grown over the years. The financial resources required were made available through membership fees, further utilized by Network staff to generate additional income through various grants. These funds have been devoted to the development of educational resources and prevention programs delivered regularly to the farm families in the Network. During the last ten years, the menu of resources has grown to include numerous, previously unavailable, farming specific publications on issues of importance to health and safety on the farm including The Network News delivered to the homes of every farm family member. Prevention programs have been provided to farmers at of near the farm gate to assist them to identify and prevent farm work related illness and injury. These include the Respiratory Health Program for Farmers, the Hearing Conservation Program and the Farm Response Course. Resources have been developed in the areas of respiratory health, pesticide safety, farm injury prevention and rural stress. Many partnerships have been formed in order to more effectively work together to promote farmers' health. The Centre for Agricultural Medicine and the Network have cooperative working relationships with Sask Ag and Food, Sask Labour, Saskatchewan Safety Council, Saskatchewan Alliance for Agricultural Health and Safety, Saskatchewan Women's Agricultural Network, North Valley Health District and Midwest District Health and look forward to continued cooperation. What lies ahead? The rapid changes in rural Saskatchewan during the last 10 years, including depopulation, changes in health care delivery, and a changing economic climate provide new challenges and new opportunities as the Agricultural Health and Safety Network moves into its second decade. However, the vision of a grassroots, self-supporting workplace health and safety program for farmers and their families remains. |
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PESTICIDE POSTING SIGNS AVAILABLE Pesticide posting signs are once again available from the Centre for Agricultural Medicine for the upcoming spraying season. The bright yellow signs are designed to alert utility workers, municipal workers and passers by that nearby fields have been sprayed. Pesticide posting signs should be posted prior to the field being sprayed and removed with rubber gloves after the recommended re-entry time has elapsed. Contaminated bags should be inclosed in a garbage bag and disposed of according to the chemical manufacturer's directions. Contact the Centre for Agricultural Medicine at (306) 966-6643 for your supply of posting signs. |
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EMAIL US WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION! Name, Address, Town, Postal Code, R.M. , R.M.# |
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We welcome your comments and contributions. Send correspondence to:
The Editor |
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The Network wished to thank the following:
Sask Ag and Food
Sask Health |
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Respiratory Program for Farmers Underway by Janice Colquhoun
Once again, the Network is pleased to be offering the Respiratory Program for
farming families to communities across Saskatchewan. This year we're scheduled
to hold the program in six rural municipalities.
The Respiratory Program for farmers is an educational seminar which focuses on
increasing awareness of respiratory diseases and illness that can occur as a
direct result of dust, particle, chemical, gas, and vapour exposures on the f
arm. The aim of the program is to teach farmers how to protect themselves from
these hazards and to maintain their respiratory (lung) health. The program also
includes demonstrations of respiratory protection and lung function test for
participants.
Sharon Clark and Glynnis Wildeman will be providing programs in the R.M.'s of
Ituna Bon Accord #246, Wolseley #155, McLeod #185, and Fertile Belt #183. Sharon
is the Agricultural Health and Safety Nurse for the North Valley Health District
and Glynnis is a Respiratory Therapist with extensive experience in agricultural
health and safety.
Mary Smillie of Midwest District Health will be providing the respiratory
program in the R.M. of Arm River #252. Mary is a Community Development Worker
with MidWest. Janice Colquhoun and Alice Gibson from the Centre for Agricultural
Medicine will be in Morris #312 and will be helping to provide the seminars
across the province.
If you would like more information on this program or have any questions, please
contact Janice Colquhoun at (306) 966-6643.
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Sask Alliance for Agricultural Health and Safety |
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The winner of the second annual Saskatchewan Association of Rural
Municipalities 90th Anniversary Scholarship will be announce in Regina at the
annual convention on March 12. Last year's winner was Kimberley Staniec of
Lanigan, R.M. of Leroy #339. Kimberley is in her first year in the College of
Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan.
The competition was open to all students who entered grade 12 in the Fall, 1997 and planned to enter post secondary education in an agriculture or health related field. Thirty-eight students applied and submitted a personal essay on "The importance of health and safety in the farm workplace" or on "Safety and health hazards on your farm". The S.A.R.M. 90th Anniversary Scholarship will be awarded annually and has been made possible by proceeds of the auction of the SARM history book, "The Building of a Province: Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities" and the Founding Chairs Program of the Centre for Agricultural Medicine. Watch the fall issue of The Network New for more information on the scholarship and next year's deadline. |
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Farm Response by Kristy Winter The Farm Response program was offered for the third time this winter. It is designed to assist those who arrive first on the scene of a farm accident. The Farm Response program is a for hour evening course and covers a variety of topics including farm machinery, storage facilities, chemicals, electricity, diesel, tractor shut off, animal safety, and first aid kit preparation. It is important to note that Farm Response does not teach First Aid or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), but gives farm families the knowledge to react safely in an emergency situation. The courses are offered during the winter months to Network member R.M.'s. The only cost associated is the $10 manual and only one manual is required per family. Winter 1998 saw 18 courses scheduled across the Province. R.M.'s that requested courses included Dundurn #314, Pleasant Valley #288, Kindersley #290, Indian Head #156, Colonsay #342, Rosthern #403, Pittville #169, Wolseley #155, Three Lakes #400, Aberdeen #373, Chester #125, and McKillop #220. |
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Staff of the Rural Health Extension program are once again providing hearing
screening clinics to the members of the Agricultural Health and Safety Network.
Clinics have been scheduled in the following R.M.'s over the next few months:
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Perspectives in Ag Health and Safety from Down Under by Kirsty Winter, Australian Agricultural Health Unit. Editor's note: The Agricultural Health and Safety Network has had the privilege of Kirsty Winter of the Australian Agricultural Health Unit (AAHU) in Moree, New South Wales join us for a six month work exchange. Kirsty's background in is systems agriculture and she worked as a farm safety training officer at the AAHU. We invited Kirsty to provide us with her impressions of agricultural health and safety in Australia and in Saskatchewan. During my time here, I have had the opportunity to observe the many differences and similarities between agricultural health and safety practices, performance and interventions in Australia and Canada, and in particular Saskatchewan. The performance of health and safety in the agricultural industry in both countries appear to follow similar patterns, despite the vast climatic differences. In both, there are several organizations working in the area and considerable effort is put toward trying to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on farms and, to improve quality of life by working to prevent occupational related illness. In this article I have been asked to describe the Unit I work for in Australia and some of the work we are doing. The Australian Agricultural Health Unit (AAHU) is located in Moree which is approximately seven hours drive North West of Sydney in New South Wales. Moree is a rural centre with a town population of about 10,000 and the agricultural industry relies mainly on cotton and grain production. Moree's summers (December to February) are not with daytime highs ranging between 25 -40 C. Winters are mild and dry, especially compared to Saskatchewan. Staff numbers fluctuate from 8 to 11 people depending on current projects. The background of our staff includes medicine, farming, agricultural industry, occupational health and safety, public health, occupational therapy, teaching, and data management. The diverse range of skills within the Unit allows us to undertake many different tasks. Apart from being a Research and Development arm of New South Wales Health, we are the Operations Centre for Farmsafe Australia. Farmsafe Australia is an organization with representation from key health and safety organizations, agricultural groups, and farmers across the country. Farmsafe's role is to set priorities for farm health and safety action and research and to stimulate and monitor programs. Each member organization works within their own agenda to reach the goals set by the consensus of Farmsafe Australia. This structure is replicated at the state and local level to bring local programs to farming communities. As a member organization of Farmsafe Australia, we generally work within the priorities recognised by Farmsafe Australia and conduct research that contributes to collective knowledge on farm related injury and illness. Some of the projects the AAHU is working on include a Farm Motorcycle research project designed to help understand the types of injuries that are occurring on 2 and 4 wheeled bikes and what can be done to prevent them. Motorcycles are used commonly on farms, particularly on sheep operations in Australia for mustering and transportation. Solutions may include bike modification,, better helmet design for farm use, and a training program for new riders. We are also currently acting on findings from a tractor safety project that recommended a ROPS (rollover protective structure) campaign and a Safe Tractor Operation and Maintenance course. Perhaps the most important program we have that is currently being established varound the country is the "Managing Farm Safety Training Program". This is a two day course that fives farmers and their families the skills to identify hazards on their farm, assess the risks, and decide on the mot practical, appropriate way of controlling them. Farmers are provided with a checklist for their farm, as well as a session on agricultural legal requirements. The course has a theoretical and a practical component, and teaches farmers how to assess the skills of new workers and perform orientation sessions. The part of the course that impresses farmers the most is the presentation of several farm injury scenarios. A comparison is made between the financial costs of removing a hazard propr to and after an injury. The economic benefit is hard to ignore when facing damaged equipment, hospital bills, time off work, physical therapy, and the cost of a replacement worker! One other training course that we have developed is a home study continuing education package for health professionals. The course teaches health workers about farm specific injury and illness, including pesticides and human health, zoonotic diseases, and respiratory health. It seems that these rural related topics are now beginning to be recognised in formal learning institutions. The continuing challenge for organizations such as Saskatchewan's Agricultural Health and Safety Network and the AAHU is to create a safety culture in farming communities. This is much easier said than done. It often seems as though the farming community is in the unfortunate position of either getting too much information, not enough, or the wrong kind entirely. With this in mind, health and safety organizations strive to find the balance between providing the right kind of information in the right way - a goal that is not easy to achieve in countries as big as Canada and Australia considering the large variation in farm type, terrain, and therefore injury and illness. Constraints put aside, at the recent National Farm Safety Conference in Quebec City, I was struck by the number of research and extension professionals across Canada committed to finding ways of working with farmers to decrease the number of farm deaths and injuries, and to improve the performance of the agricultural industry as a whole. This commitment is exemplified by the financial support of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in finding solutions. With this continued commitment, perhaps before too long, Canada will realise the financial benefits of an industry that no longer incurs huge losses every year due to occupational injury and illness. I would like to thank the Agricultural Health and Safety Network for providing this opportunity for Lori and myself. I have certainly enjoyed my time in Canada and at the Centre for Agricultural Medicine, and feel that I will be taking a valuable perspective with me back home to Australia.
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