Every year, work-related injuries in U.S. agriculture cost $8.3 billion. And that figure includes only medical costs and lost productivity. Other monetary losses include broken machinery, hiring and retraining employees, and reduced production output because of the disruption. The human toll is even worse. For 20 years, SAIF Corporation has presented free, half-day agricultural safety seminars all across the state in an effort to reduce the number of injuries in this industry. Each year we reach more people and, hopefully, prevent a few more injuries. In 2004-2005, the first years for which we have records, 1,559 people attended. Last year, the seminars drew more than 2,200. For the past 12 years, some of the seminars also have been presented entirely in Spanish. Designed primarily for people working in agriculture, anyone with an interest in agricultural safety is welcome to attend. Employers with small agricultural businesses who attend the seminar will meet OSHA’s instructional requirement, one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural establishments from random OSHA inspections. This year, seminars will be held in 16 Oregon cities: Ontario, La Grande, Madras, The Dalles, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Hillsboro, Hermiston, Wilsonville, Hood River, Medford, Woodburn, Clackamas, Bandon (March 1, 2016), and Klamath Falls. Spanish-language seminars will be held in Hillsboro, Hermiston, Wilsonville, Hood River, The Dalles, Salem, Woodburn, and Klamath Falls. The seminars, which begin in November and run through March, are held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and include lunch. Topics for the 2015-16 series: You’ve found the hazards. Now what? Workplace injuries are often predictable and, most importantly, preventable. You can implement strategies that prevent injuries by creating a risk-assessment process based on the hazards you have found in your workplace. This session can help you do that. We use case studies and activities that demonstrate how to prioritize risks and ask questions that keep you focused on effective safety solutions. Thinking about safety in a new way Sometimes we need to shake up our thinking a little–which is why this session challenges some of our long-held beliefs about safety (and we let you know which ones need to be dropped into the dust bin of history). But we don’t just leave it there. Most of this session is spent on offering new and exciting ideas for building a 21st century safety culture. We also share the practical solutions you need in order to implement these new ideas. Drugs and alcohol in the workplace – Although many stereotypes exist about alcoholics and drug addicts, substance abuse is not so easily defined. No business, regardless of size or location, is immune to hazards related to alcohol and drug abuse. The majority of drug and alcohol users are employed, and their problems often follow them to work. In this session, we identify marijuana, alcohol, and prescription painkiller abuse issues and provide the help you need to create policies and programs for a drug-free workplace. News from OSHA – If you think it’s cheaper to pay an OSHA fine than to create a safe workplace, you may want to think again. Using a couple of common citations to illustrate recent changes, we explain what you can do to avoid costly citations. In addition, we show you some new gadgets that can help you avoid penalties while protecting your workers. Oregon OSHA requirements for reporting serious injuries change on January 1, 2016, so we discuss that information, as well as one last update on hazard communication rules. Under GHS, the final step for agriculture is writing a new company policy that must be in place by June 2016. We have a model policy to make that easier. Continuing education – This seminar series will not offer private applicator pesticide “core” credits. The Oregon State Landscaping Contractors Board has approved the seminar for four hours of continuing education credits. The Department of Consumer and Business Services has approved the seminar for four hours of continuing education credits for producers. Registration – Seating is limited, so early registration is required. You may register online at saif.com/agseminar or call 800.285.8525. SAIF will confirm by email as soon as they receive your registration. About one week before the seminar, SAIF will send you an email reminder with the location address. If you have any questions, please call 800.285.8525. Get more information, or view the schedule of seminars at saif.com/agseminar
