| | Farm employers competing in Alberta’s tight labour market are faced with a dilemma when trying to find good employees. The pool of farm workers is shrinking and those with experience and training are hard to find and tougher to hang on to. This often means hiring younger, untrained workers. The challenge of ensuring the safety of these “green” employees is becoming a major challenge for farm managers and owners.
Farm owners and managers who are looking to develop a health and safety program for their valuable workforce are invited to attend the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) Annual Conference being held in Canmore on November 15 to 17, 2006. With the theme Taking Care of Safety is Good Business, the conference will provide an opportunity for the agriculture industry to discuss health and safety as part of good business management from a risk reduction and employment retention perspective.
Presenters will discuss many aspects of incorporating safety into an operation, including:
- Dr David Steuwe, Dalhousie University and the RBC Centre for Risk Management, will discuss his research into the measurement of safety culture in an operation
- Terry Betker, Meyers Norris Penny, will speak on incorporating occupational health and safety as part of a risk management strategy
- a panel of farm managers will discuss the challenges and payoffs of implementing safety plans on the farm
- one of Canada’s foremost occupational health and safety lawyers will discuss due diligence and the legal responsibilities of farm owners and employees
“Having a national agricultural health and safety conference right here in Alberta is a great opportunity for Alberta’s farm owners, managers and employees to get first hand knowledge of health and safety issues,” says Laurel Aitken, farm safety coordinator with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
For further information or to register, visit the CASA website or call Aitken at (780) 427-4231.
Contact: Laurel Aitken (780) 427-4231 |
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