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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2017 WorkSafeBC set to lower most farm rates


Orchard, greenhouse vegetable sectors set for major increases MYRNA STARK LEADER PHOTO


by PETER MITHAM


ABBOTSFORD – Base premiums for most farming operations in the province will drop in 2018, according to the preliminary rates WorksafeBC released in October. “We’re seeing a slight drop in our


injury rate,” says Doug Pasco, an industry specialist at WorkSafeBC who works with the agriculture sector. “We’re seeing them willing to work on safety within their industry, and I think that’s translating into positive results.” The agriculture sector injury rate is


now 2.5 per 100 workers, while time- loss claims dropped to 540 in 2016, even as the number of workers in the agricultural sector has increased. WorksafeBC insured approximately 21,800 workers in 2016, up from 20,500 in 2012. Pasco said 23% of the claims


WorksafeBC handles are for serious injuries. “We’re seeing incidents such as caught in or struck by machinery,” he says. “Many agricultural operations are incorporating processing-type facilities, so they’re growing as well as processing to a certain degree.” The equipment isn’t always


guarded to prevent the intrusion of body parts and clothing, however. “They’re just not guarding certain


things,” he says. “We’re seeing unguarded conveyors, chains, that are producing these injuries, so we have


manager of the BCFGA. “It’s not a tremendous increase.” A sector review following a rash of accidents last year didn’t reveal a greater accident rate in any one crop or size of farm. Greenhouse growers, which


focuses on lockout when you’re cleaning or maintaining any type of equipment.” Workers also continue to fall from


heights, as well as on the level through slips, trips and loss of balance. The three most recent injury


reports WorksafeBC had posted at press time reflect these trends: an aluminum channel hit a nursery worker in the head during unloading, while workers in the mushroom and vineyard sectors fell from harvesting platforms in two separate incidents. Worker safety on ladders in the


orchard industry was a particular concern last year, with 40% of injuries in the sector related to falls from heights. This summer, a worker fractured an arm while harvesting cherries in a similar accident. BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) staff warned that premiums could double without measures to reduce such claims. Premiums for the sector are set to


increase 19.4% in 2018, the biggest increase after the 20.1% increase handed wild plant harvesters. “We are taking that seriously, but it’s not panic,” says Glen Lucas, general


reviewed the safety of piperail- mounted platforms last year in collaboration with WorksafeBC, will also see an 18.8% increase in their base rate in 2018. “[WorksafeBC] did mention there was going to be an increase,” says Linda Delli Santi, executive director of the BC Greenhouse Growers Association. “The biggest problem was falling from heights, which is why we undertook the [piperail] project.” The review highlighted where changes that would result in better stability of platforms could be made. This often included levelling ground and improving supports for the piperails themselves.


One member has since been


certified as a result of the initiative, and Delli Santi expects others to follow after upgrades at the end of this growing season. “The project identifies that if


anything happens during the season, you have to fix it right away,” she says. “But any major work that has to be done would be done during your cleanup time when you didn’t have a crop in and you have better access to the soil.”


Understanding your WorkSafeBC coverage


WorkSafeBC insurance helps protect you, your workers, and your business.


Find resources to help you create a safe workplace and manage your insurance rates at worksafebc.com/agriculture


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