In LF Press: Health and safety program initiated four years ago by the Ontario government is ‘pathetic'

In today's London Free Press

Farm inspections fall exceedingly short

Health and safety program initiated four years ago by the Ontario government is ‘pathetic’, NDP MPP charges

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2010/10/08/15636981.html

Since mid-2006, when Ontario health and safety laws were expanded to include farm workers, inspectors have issued orders to improve conditions on only 71 of the province’s 60,000 farms, Stan Raper, co-ordinator for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Canada (UFCW), said Friday.

But over the same period, inspectors issued orders on 681 other businesses considered by the province to be part of the agricultural sector — such as pet clinics and landscaping companies.

At an average one inspection per farm daily, it’ll take decades — 164 years, to be exact — to reach all Ontario farms, Raper said

What do you think? What is your experience?

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bristow on October 9, 2010 at 7:01am

The 681 other businesses, they don't have cow shit, pig stink and chicken smell, that keep public servants away. A little danty lady or office dress gentleman with clip boards don't like these places. There are easer picking close to town.

I for one don't think the money spend on inspector is worth it. A manditary education program or semiers to get employers, farmer and workers where they can discuss their work practices with each other, and improve safe conditions once a year. The acts are in place, so its should be self regulated. As inspectors only turn up when reported, and after the fact.

All the fines, acts and all inspectors don't provent acidents, they happen because complacency and noneducation of safe work practices.