Manitoba Farm Safety Program will conduct infrared inspections
By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Reporter
Farms.com
Swine producers in Manitoba can now prevent fires on their operations.
The Manitoba Farm Safety Program (FSP) now provides infrared inspections, which detect air leakages and thermal defects in buildings, according to their website.
“The infrared cameras we use produce a two-dimensional thermal picture of an area showing surface heat variations, (such as) abnormally hot electrical connections or components,” the website says.
In addition to detecting fire hazards, the technology can also help a producer determine where additional insulation may be needed, an FSP spokesperson said in an interview with Farms.com.
A certified electrician conducts the inspections and the FSP staff ensure that the collected information is kept private.
“The results from these inspections are kept strictly confidential and are shared only with the farm owner (or) manager,” the spokesperson said.
FSP, which is an entity separate from the government, stays up-to-date on new and existing agricultural safety legislation.
“We have expert staff with (over) 20 years (of experience) in the field who will use that knowledge to prepare farmers for any government inspections or requirements,” the spokesperson said.
Farmers can call the FSP to schedule a convenient time for an inspection. Staff will then meet producers at their farms.
“We will walk around with farmers and show (them) every reading we get. If there are areas of concern, we (go) to those first,” they said. “We will provide an electronic copy of any image(s) farmers wish to keep for their records.”
The Manitoba FSP can be reached at (204) 697-1140.