farm safety Know your OHS responsibilities


Provincial regs spell out whatmust be done to protect workers in all industries, including agriculture.


A


ll employers in British Columbia are required to have an occupational health and safety (OHS) program to prevent injuries and diseases and to deal effectively with any incidents that occur.


The type of program depends on the size of the workforce and the nature and extent of the risks and hazards in the workplace.


A formal OHS program is required where there is:


• A workforce of 20 or more workers in a workplace that is moderate or high risk


• A workforce of 50 or more workers in a workplace that is low risk A farm labour contractor with more than 20 workers, even though they might be working at multiple locations, is required to develop and implement a formal, written OHS program. Elements of such a program should


include:


• A statement of the employer’s aims and the responsibilities of the employer, supervisors, and workers (OHS policy) • Regular inspection of premises, equipment, work methods and work practices


• Appropriate written instructions for workers


• Management meetings for the


purpose of reviewing health and safety activities and incident trends • Investigation of incidents to


determine the action necessary to prevent their recurrence • Maintenance of records and statistics


• Instruction and supervision of workers in the safe performance of their work


Small operations may have a less formal health and safety program that includes regular meetings with workers to discuss health and safety


issues. Such programs should include the following:


• Senior management’s commitment towards health and safety


• Regular inspections that identify and correct hazards


• Instruction, training and supervision of workers


• Safe work procedures and general rules that are written and followed by all workers


• Accident/incident investigations


TRANSPORTATION OFWORKERS Using a vehicle to transport workers to a jobsite means the vehicle itself is considered a workplace. When transporting workers, farm labour contractors are responsible for: • Ensuring the safe transport of their workers


• Hiring drivers with valid B.C. driver’s licences


• Inspecting all vehicles prior to their use


• Providing drivers with a vehicle inspection report


• Providing drivers, supervisors, and workers with appropriate education and training


• Ensuring that each worker uses a seat belt


• Not exceeding the safe seating capacity of the vehicle as stated by the manufacturer


20 British Columbia Berry Grower • Summer 2016


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