Wild Blueberry in a Context of Production Guide... Sustainable Development 57. Accident Prevention Plan INTRODUCTION Like everything else in a farm enterprise, health and security must be managed. This means dedicating a certain amount of time to these concerns, and emphasizing teamwork. The employer must show that he cares about accident prevention, and employees must be involved in fi nding causes and solutions. BILL C-21 AND EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS In force since March 31, 2004, the Act to amend the Criminal Code of Canada (Bill C-21) included substantial changes with regard to health and safety in the workplace. Employers are now subject to criminal proceedings after a serious accident if measures were not in place to protect the health and safety of workers. In fact, anyone who manages or supervises one or more workers must show that health and safety obligations are respected, taking all reasonable precautions to prevent bodily injury due to accident. Bill C-21 reinforces the Québec Act respecting Occupational health and safety (see References), which stipulates that every worker has a right to working conditions that have proper regard for his health, safety and physical well-being (section 9). The employer thus has an obligation to take whatever measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of workers (section 51). He must ensure that risks are eliminated at the source by organizing the workplace in a safe manner and by training workers on safe techniques and procedures. He is also obligated to provide individual protection equipment, free of charge, and to require workers to use it. TRAINING FIRST-AIDERS AT THE WORKPLACE A minimum number of fi rst-aiders must be present at the workplace to ensure that any worker who suffers an accident or ailment can immediately receive fi rst aid. The First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation (see References) stipulates that employers must ensure the presence at all times, during work hours, of a minimum number of fi rst-aiders. For the exact number of fi rst-aiders required in your enterprise, check with the CSST or CSSS. FIRST AID KIT Under Québec’s First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation, each employer is required to provide an adequate number of fi rst aid kits. The kits must be located as close as possible to where the work is done, be easy to reach and available at all times. The kits and their contents, whose expiry dates should be checked regularly, must be kept clean and in good condition. Any item that is out of date, soiled or yellowed with age must be replaced. It is not necessary to replace fi rst aid kits every three years. 1 57. Accident Prevention Plan COMMUNICATION SYSTEM When an injured person needs emergency care, it is critical that precious minutes not be wasted by hunting for telephone numbers or the name of the fi rst-aider. To reduce lost time to a minimum, the employer must provide a communication system that is immediately available, along with adequate signage indicating: • the telephone numbers of service centres that can be contacted in case of emergency; • the names, functions and locations of fi rst-aiders; • location of kits or the fi rst aid room; • any other equipment related to fi rst aid (e.g. safety data sheets on pesticides used). THE ACCIDENT PREVENTION PLAN What can you as an employer do to establish a prevention plan for your blueberry farm? Identify dangers: go around the workplace and each workstation, reviewing one by one the various activities carried out and the equipment used for them. Ask yourself, in each situation, where the dangers lie and which employees are at risk. Correct work situations that pose a risk: take concrete action, starting with whatever is most urgent. What can you do to reduce risks or better protect a worker? Control: prevent a danger from recurring. How will you ensure later on that safety measures remain in place? What means will you take to achieve this? Build employee awareness about accident prevention. IDENTIFYING RISKS Dangers are numerous in a farm enterprise, and the accidents they cause can be very severe. The fi rst step is therefore to identify the principal risks associated with blueberry production. Here are some examples: Pesticide intoxication As an employer, you must have a good knowledge of the pesticides used, their usage guidelines and the intoxication risks. For every product used, its material health and safety data sheet must be readily available in the workplace. Protective equipment must be provided free of charge to employees, and they must be required to wear it. Spraying equipment must also be in good operating condition. The person responsible for purchasing and applying pesticides must be the holder of a certifi cate issued by the MDDEP after passing an exam. The regulations in force are set out in the Pesticide Management Code (see References). Workstation setup This is a question not only of safety, but of effi ciency. Each workstation should be analyzed with a view toward minimizing the risk not only of accidents but of workers developing musculo-skeletal problems such as back, shoulder or knee pain. For good ideas on how the work could done more effi ciently, ask your employees. Allergies to insect stings etc. Allergenic situations can happen at any time. A farm enterprise must therefore be prepared to provide swift assistance when someone has an allergic reaction to an insect sting or other allergen. First aid kits should always contain an EpiPen (auto- injector of epinephrine) for administration in case of emergency. For information on purchasing and using an EpiPen, consult the CSSS in your region (see References). Heatstroke and sunburn Working as usual in extremely hot or sunny weather can place outdoor workers at risk of heatstroke, which can be fatal, or severe sunburn. In such weather, it is important to be on the alert, adjusting tasks and work time to protect your employees. Provide lots of water, and make sure appropriate work clothes and headgear are worn. Moving parts Much farm machinery carries a risk of accident, from loss of a limb to loss of life. Wherever there are moving parts, employees need to be aware of the threat of being pulled in, pinched, cut, crushed, or hit by fl ying objects. Adequate safety measures must be taken with each machine. Wild Blueberry Production Guide 2 57. Accident Prevention Plan Using machinery Some employees work with tractors, lift trucks and harvesters. It is important to ensure that these employees are properly trained to operate such machines safely. Look for any other risks you can identify in your operation. PREVENTION CARD Prevention cards are available from the CSST (see References) for noting down identifi ed risks and the solutions to them. These cards will help you perform follow-up and control on the solutions you put in place. NEW EMPLOYEES – SENSITIZING WORKERS Have you just hired a new employee? Starting from his or her very fi rst day on the job, make sure your new employee receives all the safety instruction needed to work without danger. What individual protection equipment should be worn? What are the major safety rules to learn? If special training is needed, make sure he or she receives it. Even experienced workers should be given a safety reminder at the start of a new season. THE INFORMATION IN THIS TEXT IN NO WAY REPLACES THE TEXT OF ANY LAWS OR REGULATIONS IN FORCE. THIS DOCUMENT IS ONLY A BRIEF GUIDE TO PREVENTION Short-term prevention measures can pay off big in the long term. II’m’m ccommittedommitted ttoo hhealthealth aandnd ssafety!afety! REFERENCES To learn more, consult the following documents and websites: Poster (11 in x 17 in) for providing the names of fi rst-aiders, emergency numbers and kit location (DC 900-801-2). Sticker to identify a fi rst aid worker (DC 700-325). Available free at 418-266-4250 CSST, La formation des secouristes en milieu de travail, c’est bon pour tout le monde (training fi rst-aiders at the workplace is good for everyone). Brochure to order or download (DC 100-545-1 www.csst.qc.ca/publications/ListePublications.htm General information for employers on the workplace fi rst aid program: www.csst.qc.ca/employers/acces_employers.htm Act respecting Occupational health and safety, R.S.Q., c. S-2.1: www.canlii.org/en/qc/laws/stat/rsq-c-s-2.1/latest/rsq-c-s-2.1.html Act respecting industrial accidents and occupational diseases, R.S.Q., c. A-3.001: www.canlii.org/en/qc/laws/stat/rsq-c-a-3.001/latest/rsq-c-a-3.001.html 3 Wild Blueberry Production Guide 57. Accident Prevention Plan For workplace safety: www.csst.qc.ca Pesticide Management Code: www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca CSSS: Your health network: www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/en/reseau/lsn.php First-aid Minimum Standards Regulation [A-3,r.8.2]: www.canlii.org/en/qc/laws/regu/1984-goq-2-3383/latest/1984-goq-2-3383.html Your occupational health team: www.santeautravail.qc.ca PROJECT COORDINATION PUBLISHING Sophie Gagnon, Agronomist, Project Management Chantale Ferland, M.Sc., Publishing Project Offi cer, CRAAQ, Coordinator, Agrinova, Alma Québec Lyne Lauzon, Publications Coordinator, CRAAQ, Québec WRITING Lise Tremblay, Prevention Offi cer, Fédération de l’UPA du TRANSLATION Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Jonquière Rod Willmot, M.A. COLLABORATION LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN Alain Bédard, Inspector, Team Leader, Commission de la Sylvie Robitaille, Computer Graphics Technician, CRAAQ, santé et sécurité au travail, Direction régionale du Saguenay– Québec Lac-Saint-Jean, Chicoutimi Mario Fortin, Nurse Clinician, ASI, Santé au travail, Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, Alma Louise Maltais, Consultant, Mutuelle de prévention, Fédération de l’UPA du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Jonquière PRODUCED BY FUNDED BY Association des producteurs de bleuets de la Côte-Nord Wild Blueberry Production Guide 4 Wild Blueberry in a Context of Production Guide..