Safety topics to include nano particles and autonomous ag equipment
Winnipeg, September 28, 2012: The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is set to host FarmSafe 2012, a conference and AGM from October 10–12 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The conference brings together farm safety stakeholders from across the country with a focus on new and emerging safety risks in the industry.
Marcel Hacault is the Executive Director of CASA. “New technologies such as nano particles and autonomous agricultural equipment are poised to move agriculture forward. But we need to make sure that we understand the safety implications of these new technologies so we can control the hazards along the way,” he says. “This conference is a great way for participants to get a snapshot of the future through the lens of a safety-first attitude.”
FarmSafe 2012 will also include an address from keynote speaker John McNamara, National Health and Safety Officer with Teagasc in Ireland. McNamara will share his experiences and challenges working to promote farm safety in Ireland.
Participants will also get a first look at the National Farm Safety Strategy. The document aims to identify key priority areas for improving farm safety across Canada while positioning Canada as a leader in farm safety. The document involves months of consultation with farm safety organizations, governments, producer groups, farm workers, farmers, industry and commodity groups.
CASA commissioned the document via a third party in order to preserve neutrality in the data collection.
Dean Anderson is the Chair of CASA. “This is an important first step in helping everyone involved in farm safety education and research work cohesively to make the farm a safer place to live and work,” he says.
Approximately 70 farmers, safety professionals, suppliers, trainers, manufacturers and researchers are expected to participate in the conference.
The conference will wrap up with a look at agricultural safety projects and initiatives from across Canada.
For more information about the conference, visit http://conference.casa-acsa.ca/registration/english/default.aspx.
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association is a national, non-profit organization promoting farm safety in the agricultural sector. CASA’s vision is a country where no one is hurt farming and CASA is working with partners in government, business, and farming organizations across the country to support initiatives that equip producers, their families and their workers with the information and tools needed to make farms a safe place to live, work and play. CASA is funded primarily through Growing Forward, a federal, provincial and territorial initiative.
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For more information, contact:
Michelle French Lancaster
Communications Officer
CASA/ACSA
(T): 1-877-452-2272
mfrenchlancaster@casa-acsa.ca
Diane Wreford
CASA Conference Co-ordinator
(T): (204) 275-8874
(M): (204) 930-4612
dwreford@casa-acsa.ca
