Free career safety education being offered to Saskatchewan youths

Mar 12, 2018

The high number of Saskatchewan youths being injured in the workplace was the catalyst for a new career safety education program that is being celebrated as the first of its kind in North America.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council and WorkSafe Saskatchewan partnered in 2013 to address the number of youth injuries and fatalities in the province’s workplaces.

That year there was one workplace fatality and 876 youth, aged 14 to 21, lost time because they were injured at work, according to the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board.

Another 2,557 youths were injured at work, but there was no time loss.

In 2014, there were two workplace fatalities in the province, 828 youths took time off work because of injuries and another 2,197 were injured but didn’t lose time at work.

The five-year Early Safety Training pilot program began as a joint initiative of the Saskatchewan Safety Council and WorkSafe Saskatchewan.

A provincial steering committee was established that was made up of all of the industry safety associations, Safe Saskatchewan, private industry and education.

The goal was that all youth in Saskatchewan would have access to free, career-focused safety education before starting their first jobs.

Hands-on safety training was provided at more than 20 school divisions and six First Nations throughout the province.

“It involved first aid and CPR and then a hands-on elective,” said Merissa Scarlett, community relations co-ordinator with the Saskatchewan Safety Council. “We realized that we needed to upgrade it so we could reach all of the youth in the province.”

Source : Leaderpost

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.