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Agriculture Planned Inspectional Initiative

The Agriculture Planned Inspectional Initiative was developed through the examination of claims data and identification of work activities with the highest potential for causing serious injury or death or adversely impacting the time-loss claims rate. The initiative focuses prevention activities on identified risk factors that drive serious injury rate and the time-loss claims rate, in order to apply resources and effort where they will be most effective.

Our goals

The primary goal of the initiative is to prevent injuries, including serious and fatal injuries, in the agriculture subsector and the winery classification unit.

Our focus

2024 inspectional approach

For 2024 inspections, prevention officers will continue to take a risk-based approach to ensure that the most significant risks are effectively managed by employers. This approach involves workers and employers identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing the appropriate controls specific to the on-site activities. In addition, it focuses on employers ensuring these efforts are effectively communicated to workers and monitored through foundational occupational health and safety systems such as new and young workers orientations, training, supervision, incident investigations, worksite inspections, and (where applicable) joint health and safety committees that are effective, robust, and well supported.

The current primary areas of focus for the initiative are based on risk and claims data. They are:

  • Falls from the same elevation and falls from movable ladders
  • Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs)
  • Assaults by large animals of husbandry
  • Safe transportation of farm workers

In previous years, the initiative identified other significant hazards that create high risks for serious injury and fatality. These areas will continue to be part of certain inspections in the agriculture industry. They include:

  1. Workers struck by machinery, animals, and equipment
  2. Confined spaces
  3. Safety programs
  4. Tractor safety
  5. Safeguarding and lockout
  6. New and young worker orientation and training
  7. Pesticide storage and use

What you can do

Our Agriculture pages provide resources and information on how to understand and address some of the health and safety issues to focus on in your industry.