The Agricultural Safety Audit Program: ASAP
A safety audit program designed specifically for farmers
The ASAP is designed to prevent workplace injuries and their costs in
the farm community. A voluntary self-assessment tool specially tailored
to be a sector specific auditing tool, for agricultural workplaces. the
program replaces the WSIB's Workwell audit on Ontario farm workplaces.
Program details
The
Agricultural Safety Audit Program (ASAP) was
developed by the Farm Safety Association Inc, the Ontario Agricultural
Human Resource Council (OAHRC) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance
Board (WSIB).
The ASAP was initiated by farm and commodity organizations through their appointed representatives to the Ontario Agricultural Human Resources Committee. OAHRC with resources from the private sector, WSIB, OMAFRA, Human Resources Development Canada, and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association to produce this unique workplace audit program.
The ASAP was written to be a self-assessment tool valuable to all farmers, whether or not they hire help. The ASAP is based on farm injury data. Using ASAP, smaller operations can take steps to identify and reduce risk of injury to family members. Farm employers as a requirement under the OHSA and WSIA should use it because they are required ensure that workers are made aware and trained to work safely around hazards and are subject to a WSIB audit of their operation. The WSIB uses the ASAP as the mechanism in conducting such audits.
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Injury Prevention the Goal
Farmer workplaces will be hard pressed to find A different tool that is as comprehensive, yet low in paperwork.
The WSIB uses the ASAP to audit farm operations with accident/injury problems. Farming operations falling in the bottom five percent with high WSIB claim frequencies can expect to be prime candidates for mandatory auditing. Use of the ASAP helps a farmer demonstrate that action is being taken to address problems.
Complaints, deaths, or increases in claims could also raise WSIB "flags" and justify a farm audit. In addition, a random sample is always possible. If a Farming operation is to be audited the ASAP will be used by WSIB. At their sole discretion, the WSIB may offer a farmer the alternative of working directly with the Farm Safety Association to establish a sound safety program.
If an employer with a record of excessive claim frequencies doesn't take the WSIB notice of the need for an audit seriously, they can expect their assessment premiums to rise, significantly. Such operations probably already pay a surcharge through the Merit Assistance Program (MAP) or NEER program. If the farm fails a second audit, the premium will be increased again. Help is available.
The Hazard ID booklet portion of the ASAP is designed to help all agricultural operations identify hazards, regardless of size, commodity, or employer status. There is no charge for the ASAP checklist.
The
Farm Safety Association will provide farm level support to operators wishing
to carry out the Agricultural Safety Audit Program. Call the Association
at 1-800-361-8855 for more information about the ASAP. Click here to download
Agricultural Safety Audit
Program-ASAP (39 pages)
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Tel: 519.823.5600 - Toll Free: 1.800.361.8855 - Fax: 519. 823.8880
