COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • APRIL 2019


Island dairy producers hone first aid skills All businesses require a certified first aid provider under WorkSafeBC rules


by AMANDA POELMAN DUNCAN – Island Milk Producers


Organization hosted a full day of first aid training with St. John Ambulance in February to help producers meet provincial industry requirements. WorkSafeBC requires that all businesses have at least one employee certified to provide first aid. Training must be from a provider WorkSafeBC recognizes. IMPO’s event attracted more than 20


producers. This is the second time IMPO has hosted first aid training for its members. It was an opportunity to train new people, as well as for existing first aid personnel to renew their certification. The first training session was three years ago, and certification must be renewed every three years. “IMPO recognizes the importance of


safety to farmers and their employees,” says IMPO president Mickey Aylard. “If we aren’t able to stay safe on the job today, we might not make it to the job tomorrow.” During the eight-hour training session, members studied emergency scene management, minor wound care, airway obstruction, shock and severe bleeding, CPR with a defibrillator as well as medical emergencies. A written examination followed.


Michelle Laszczyk, left, and Sam Ellis practice their CPR techniques. AMANDA POELMAN PHOTO There are three levels of occupational first aid Under the direction of their St. John Ambulance


instructor, participants acted out different accident scenarios and practiced the various steps of care on each other. They also demonstrated their ability to give CPR on a mannequin for a minimum of two and a half minutes.


(OFA) for industry and one OFA endorsement certificate. The level of first aid services required for a workplace depends on the number of workers, distance to the nearest medical facility and industry hazard rating. In order to determine the level of OFA required on farm, a first aid assessment needs to be completed. A form can be found on the WorkSafeBC website. “Knowing how to correctly assess an injury and


treat a hurt worker until they can get professional medical aid is critical,” says Melissa Lacroix, AgSafe


BC’s regional consultant for Vancouver Island. “AgSafe services are available throughout BC to assist you in performing a first aid assessment, determining the required level of first aid in your workplace, first aid kit information and other emergency preparedness materials and training. We want to help you evaluate and manage the risks that are associated with farming.” Members also learned the


importance of having a farm emergency response plan. The plans identify who to


contact in case of an emergency, where the nearest medical facility is located, how to contact medical aid and the address to give for emergency medical responders. Additionally, accident reporting is a vital part of the on- farm first aider’s job. St. John Ambulance gave instructions on how to complete reports in the event an injury requires a claim to


be filed with WorkSafeBC. “We are all busy with the day-to-day work on our


respective farms,” says Aylard. “It is important for the IMPO to provide a day where it is an easy choice for producers to come and not only get certified but make sure they are compliant with the provincial regulations.”


The course had a strong turnout, considering that


Vancouver Island has just 39 dairy farms. All the participants passed the final exam, earning them their OFA Level 1 Certification.


43


of summer BEST PART


It’s the


Aug 17 till


Sep 2 (closed Aug 19 & 26) LARGEST AGRICULTURE SHOWCASE COME CELEBRATE AT BC’S


PNE 4-H FESTIVAL AUGUST 17–20


Off ering over 30 types of project competitions as well as provincial programs for judging, speak and show and educational displays. Travel assistance off ered to clubs outside of the Fraser Valley through the


BC Youth in Agriculture Foundation. ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 28, 2019


FARM COUNTRY AUGUST 17–SEPTEMBER 2


Come out and experience BC’s remarkably diverse agriculture industry. Featuring the crowd favourite Discovery Farm exhibit, pig racing, BC Dairy Association’s


Dairy Zone, BC Cattlemen’s Beef Zone, and BC Egg Marketing Board’s


Egg Laying Exhibit, plus a whole barn full of exciting animal displays.


604-252-3581 • agriculture@pne.ca •


PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOW AUGUST 21–SEPTEMBER 2


Competitions in: Extreme Trail,


Junior Amateur Jumping,


Draft Team, Indoor Eventing and much more!


ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 26, 2019


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