TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/04/11 -- Safe Communities Canada is proud to announce the launch a web-based Canadian farm safety awareness program, Passport to Farm Safety. October 5 also marks the celebration of Safe Communities Day at member communities across the country.
Passport to Farm Safety is an online, no-fail test aimed at young and new workers who are currently working or planning to work on farms or in other agricultural settings. It was created to help Canada address the over 110 needless farm fatalities and other serious, life altering injuries that occur each year. The program covers workplace safety basics, general WHMIS concepts, and workplace rights and responsibilities. In particular, this test focuses on farm-specific hazards such as tractors and heavy machinery, working with animals, and ATV's As with all Passport to Safety™ tests, this awareness test is designed to supplement (not replace) existing workplace- specific training.
The Honourable Lyle Vanclief, Canada's Minister of Agriculture from 1997-2003 continues to be active in the agricultural community both in Ontario and nationally and works with the 4H organization. In his review of the program, Mr. Vanclief says, "I thought it was excellent. It makes you think, is very educational, very effective in raising awareness in safety and very informative whether you are a young or older farmer - it is even good for employers"
"Reaction to Passport to Farm Safety has been overwhelmingly positive," stated Passport to Safety Manager Sarah Goodhope. "We look forward to releasing this exciting new product to a wider audience."
"We feel that farm safety is a really important area that needs a more focused approach," Ms Goodhope said. "We took our very successful general workplace safety test, the Passport to Safety Challenge for Teens, and adapted it for the agriculture industry."
Passport to Farm Safety was developed with and reviewed by farm safety experts from across Canada. Throughout September, the program was piloted in communities across the country. More information about the program can be found at www.passporttofarmsafety.com.
Passport to Safety is a unique, not-for-profit, cross-Canada catalyst for change intended to help eliminate needless injuries and preventable deaths of young Canadians in their workplaces. Passport to Safety supports the vision that young Canadians have the power to influence the evolution of safe workplace cultures.
Safe Communities Canada is Canada's foremost community-driven injury prevention charity whose mission is to make Canada the safest place in the world to live, learn, work and play.
Contacts:
Safe Communities Canada
Paul Kells
President
(902) 489-9929
pkells@safecommunities.ca
Safe Communities Canada
Sarah Goodhope
Manager, Passport to Safety
(416) 964-0008
sarah@passporttosafety.com
www.safecommunities.ca