Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Health and safety in agriculture isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting the people who make the work possible and safeguarding the capital invested in your animals, equipment, and land. In this episode of the Farm Safety Roundup, host Shaun Haney connects with Kristin Hoffman, farmer and senior sector specialist with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), to discuss practical steps for building an effective safety plan tailored to any operation.
National data shows that between 70 and 110 agriculture-related fatalities occur in Canada each year, with recurring incidents involving machinery, falls, and livestock. Additionally, widespread non-fatal issues like strains and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact daily farm operations. Hoffman emphasizes that managing these exposures begins with recognizing local hazards rather than attempting a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Farm safety that fits means designing health and safety programs that reflect and are representative and will work within the conditions that our farmers and their workers work within,” Hoffman says.
Building a workable program relies on practical tools like property walkarounds, brief tailgate talks, and analyzing seasonal task risks. Hoffman points out that because producers know their land so well, routine familiarity can sometimes obscure hazards.
“Farms can use really simple but impactful tools, practices like taking a checklist and doing a walk around on the property,” says Hoffman.
To mitigate risks, producers can apply the hierarchy of controls—prioritizing elimination first, followed by engineering solutions like rollover protection or improved guarding. Maintaining momentum over the long term requires ongoing program reviews, routine inspections, and encouraging workers to report near misses. Small improvements in housekeeping, guarding, block out and lockout of equipment, and mechanical rather than manual material handling have big impact on prevention of losses, Hoffman says.
Website: realagriculture.com
#farming #farmsafety #agriculture
Find us on our other social media platforms:
X/Twitter: twitter.com/realagriculture
Instagram: instagram.com/realagriculture
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Health and safety in agriculture isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting the people who make the work possible and safeguarding the capital invested in your animals, equipment, and land. In this episode of the Farm Safety Roundup, host Shaun Haney connects with Kristin Hoffman, farmer and senior sector specialist with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), to discuss practical steps for building an effective safety plan tailored to any operation.
National data shows that between 70 and 110 agriculture-related fatalities occur in Canada each year, with recurring incidents involving machinery, falls, and livestock. Additionally, widespread non-fatal issues like strains and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact daily farm operations. Hoffman emphasizes that managing these exposures begins with recognizing local hazards rather than attempting a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Farm safety that fits means designing health and safety programs that reflect and are representative and will work within the conditions that our farmers and their workers work within,” Hoffman says.
Building a workable program relies on practical tools like property walkarounds, brief tailgate talks, and analyzing seasonal task risks. Hoffman points out that because producers know their land so well, routine familiarity can sometimes obscure hazards.
“Farms can use really simple but impactful tools, practices like taking a checklist and doing a walk around on the property,” says Hoffman.
To mitigate risks, producers can apply the hierarchy of controls—prioritizing elimination first, followed by engineering solutions like rollover protection or improved guarding. Maintaining momentum over the long term requires ongoing program reviews, routine inspections, and encouraging workers to report near misses. Small improvements in housekeeping, guarding, block out and lockout of equipment, and mechanical rather than manual material handling have big impact on prevention of losses, Hoffman says.
Website: realagriculture.com
#farming #farmsafety #agriculture
Find us on our other social media platforms:
X/Twitter: twitter.com/realagriculture
Instagram: instagram.com/realagriculture
Facebook: facebook.com/realagmedia
