The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) is
raising awareness about the importance of prioritizing safety when working around grain with the sixth annual BeGrainSafe Week, taking place August 10-16.
The annual public safety campaign is part of CASA’s BeGrainSafe program, which launched in 2017 in response to an increase in grain entrapment fatalities. The BeGrainSafe program delivers prevention education, grain rescue training for firefighters, and on-site workplace training to heighten awareness of grain hazards across the country.
A key aspect of the program is the BeGrainSafe trailer, which provides firefighters with essential hands-on experience with a grain entrapment simulation and rescue techniques in a controlled setting. The trailer recently underwent a refresh, consisting of structural repairs, upgrades to the grain entrapment components and enhancements to improve the training experience.
“Grain safety is a critical priority in the agricultural sector. Every year, preventable incidents involving grain handling and storage put farmers, workers, and families at risk,” says Sandra Miller, CASA’s Executive Director. “With grain, what may appear to be a routine task can quickly become a life-threatening situation without proper precautions. That is why CASA, through the BeGrainSafe program, works to help Canadians better understand the dangers associated with grain by promoting safe work practices and ensuring training is available to help prevent tragedies. Because no farm task is ever worth risking a life.” According to
Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting data, there were 27 fatalities due to asphyxiation from grain or soil on Canadian farms between 2011 and 2020.
Corteva Agriscience, a long-standing farm safety champion and supporter of the
BeGrainSafe program, is the presenting sponsor of this year’s BeGrainSafe Week. “Safety is at the heart of strong farms and thriving rural communities,” says Loralee Orr,
Vice President Commercial, Corteva Agriscience Canada. “We are proud to partner with CASA to help raise awareness of grain hazards and support the training that can help prevent incidents before they occur. By working together, we can help make
Canadian farms safer for everyone who live and work on them.” For BeGrainSafe Week, CASA has developed various resources, including infographics and safety advice articles, with information on how to stay safe around grain. These resources are available for both the media and the general public to download and share.
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