by Theresa Whalen
CFA Farm Safety Consultant

It’s that time of year again when you fuss and ponder over what to get the farmers on your Christmas list. Stress no more. Give the gift of safety!

Christmas is the perfect time to give the pragmatic primary producers in your life some of the special things that they might not otherwise get for themselves.

From Santa’s workshop to your workshop (or barn), give a fire extinguisher, chemical spill kit, or fall arrest harness. Or how about steel-toed boots, a supply of N95 respirators, safety goggles, disposable coveralls or rubber gloves? And don’t forget to splurge a bit to get the good quality ones that he or she will actually wear – after all, it’s Christmas!

Need more ideas…? Every farmer knows that nothing says “Merry Christmas, I love you” like a slow moving vehicle sign, electric fence tester, eye wash kit or a big first aid kit. Or how about a hardhat, safety chains for a wagon, or reflective tape?

If your farmer already has all these things, then perhaps you would like to give him or her a warm hug – and tell them “PPE only works if you use it!”

And the best gift they can give you back is to work safely to end the day alive and well with their family. After all, safety is an attitude. A good one!

“Personal protective equipment (PPE) only works if you use it!” is this year’s Canadian agricultural safety campaign theme with a focus on the use, fit and access of personal protective equipment (PPE) in agriculture. The yearlong campaign was launched last March with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week.

More information on this and other farm safety topics is available at www.casa-acsa.ca or www.cfa-fca.ca .

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For more information contact:
Theresa Whalen, CFA Farm Safety Consultant - T: (613) 822-0016 E: farmsafety@cfafca.ca
** Free photos and cartoons are available to accompany this article at www.casa-acsa.ca