Simple Steps lead to Safer Farming in 2026 by Laura Fraser, OFA Member Service Representative for Elgin and Oxford County Laura.fraser@ofa.on.ca
Another persistent safety challenge in Southwestern Ontario comes on the roads. Winter is a great time for farmers to conduct thorough daily safety checks of their equipment — including brakes, lights, hitches, and slow-moving vehicle signs — to ensure their machines are road-ready for the spring and as visible as possible to other drivers. Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs on a tractor or self-propelled implements on a highway are a must. SMV signs should be centred on the rear of the rearmost vehicle, .6 to 2 metres (2’ – 6’) above the road. Farm equipment using a SMV sign must obey its 40 km/h (25 MPH) speed limit. It is also important to replace faded SMV signs, as they must be clearly visible from 150 metres (500’). It is equally important for motorists to act accordingly when driving behind a vehicle with a SMV sign. Be sure always to give lots of room behind farm machinery; adjust your speed accordingly, and only pass when it is safe to do so. Drivers should always be aware of motorists who are passing and be sure to take extra caution when entering roadways and making turns. Visit ofa.on.ca/resources/smv-roadsafety/ for more resources. Safety partners such as Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association offer extensive resources to help farmers and rural families reduce risks. These include farm safety checklists, hazard awareness tools, and training programs on topics ranging from tractor operation to fire safety planning. As the planting and harvest seasons continue to shape daily life in Southwestern Ontario’s agricultural heartland, proactive safety measures are critical. With a strong emphasis on education, community cooperation, and shared responsibility on and off the farm, the region’s farmers and residents can work together to ensure that every season ends with everyone safe at home.
The agriculture sector is one of the most hazardous workplaces in Cana- da, and the slower winter season is an ideal time to sound the alarm on the importance of farm safety and to come together to reduce injuries and prevent fatalities. Farm work in Ontario can pose serious hazards, from the everyday use of heavy machinery, navigating uneven terrain, working with livestock to handling chemicals. Agriculture remains a high-risk industry, with national data showing farmers are significantly more likely to suffer fatal or disabling injuries compared to workers in other occupations. Children living on or near farm properties are among the most vulnerable. In Ontario, nearly one-fifth of farm fatalities involve youths aged 1–19, and for many of those under 15, accidents occur, not during work, but while simply being present around farm operations. Runovers and machinery entanglements are among the leading causes of these incidents. Formal safety training, clear hazard inspections and the importance of age-appropriate tasks for young workers are key steps to keeping families safe. Simple precautions, such as eliminating unnecessary hazards, ensuring machinery guards are in place, and designating safe play areas, can make a life-saving difference.
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Page 12 Real Living • Winter 2026
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