GUELPH – With Canadian Agricultural Safety Week underway from March 15-21, 2026, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is urging farmers and rural residents to make safety a daily priority and have released a new fact sheet aimed at reducing risks on farms across the province.
The organization says the resource is designed to help farm operators and families identify potential hazards, encourage conversations about safety, and strengthen on-farm practices regardless of operation size or type.
“The farm is more than a workplace, it’s also home,” said Paul Maurice, a farmer and executive member with the OFA. He noted that preventing injuries often comes down to planning and awareness rather than chance. “Taking the time to think through tasks, identify risks and put simple precautions in place can make all the difference.”
Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, led nationally by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), promotes the idea that safety is a shared, year-round responsibility. This year’s campaign highlights daily themes including machinery safety, emergency preparedness, rail and road safety, livestock handling, and the role of women in agriculture.
The OFA points to a range of common hazards faced by farmers, including fatigue from long workdays, the use of heavy and moving equipment, and time pressures linked to weather and seasonal demands. Additional risks include transporting slow-moving vehicles on public roads, working in close quarters with others, and handling livestock, which can behave unpredictably.
“Simple actions, like wearing high-visibility gear, maintaining equipment, or taking an extra moment to assess a task, can help prevent life-changing accidents,” Maurice said. “Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
As part of the week’s activities, farmers are also being encouraged to participate in CASA’s AgSafe Ribbon Campaign, which promotes awareness through a visible symbol of commitment and social media engagement using the hashtag #FarmSafetyEveryday.
The OFA’s newly released fact sheet outlines practical steps to improve safety, including ensuring equipment is properly maintained, shutting down machinery before making adjustments, and keeping children away from active work areas. It also encourages farmers to take breaks when fatigued, carry a charged phone, and keep first aid supplies readily available.
The OFA represents approximately 38,000 farm families across Ontario and during this week and all the rest will continue to promote safety awareness beyond the designated week, emphasizing that reducing injuries and fatalities on farms requires ongoing attention and collective effort.
