New Alberta Farm regulations

[Koldkanuck]

Encaged ladder

[Steve_Winkler]

This bill is not just about safety, being safer, or paying people fairly. It differs in its wording than any other province in the country. As some have said, the devil is in the detail.

This is what I've been relating to people across social media:


Good morning,

Just another dissatisfied and very upset Albertan writing in to voice my concerns with Bill 6 and what it has the potential to do to agriculture in this once great province. I strongly OPPOSE Bill 6.

Many things at play here. I think the larger area of concern was/is the way this legislation was written, presented, and subsequently how fast it seems to be getting pushed through.

OHS, & Labour standards ( with "possibility"of amendments tailored later ) after the bill is already law?? That isn't right.

Mandatory WCB coverage January 1st, 2016, even if you already have sufficient and in many cases better insurance? That isn't right either.

Numerous rules and regs that would apply to small family operations eliminating their own kids, family members, and neighbours from helping out.

As it was presented, this legislation was and is an epic communication failure and an affront to the legislative process. That is what is causing such angst amongst those affected.

Many of us are working with our MLA's, Ag groups, friends and neighbours to make sure this legislation is done right and not shoved down our throats as the piece of garbage it started out as.

Thank you.

Steve Winkler

[mcfarms]

Good post Steve.

[wmoebis]

Why do some ladders on bins have cages and some don't?
The other thing, why do all bin ladders that follow the contour of bins have hand rails, yet the ones that go straight up some do some don't?
Shouldn't they all come with cages or hand rails? I hate ladders cages or not!

[perfecho]

Great to see people working to make it better, not throwing it totally out.

[Steve_Winkler]

Thanks mcfarms.

It has been great to see the turnouts at the Legislature and the growing awareness as to what is wrong with this bill as it was presented.

There has been too much misinformation and only a small amount of media coverage has gotten the facts straight.

An acquaintance of mine had a great quote yesterday: " It's not that agriculture isn't ready for Bill 6, it's Bill 6 that isn't ready for agriculture."

[Jay-mo]

A few years back a friend of mine that runs a construction business was told his forklift mounted scaffold was no longer "safe".
This was because it didn't have railing on three sides.
So he spends 3k on a "safe" scaffold with railing on three sides.
His workers love it because now they climb up the railing and standing on the rail can reach 4' higher now!!
Now that's safety!

[TOM4CWB]

Jay-mo,

OHS in Alberta is messed up... no matter how anyone looks at it.

In England... they do 10x as much work... and have one quarter of the fatalities.. because the work... and safety culture is radically different than in Alberta. The Engineers in England actually consult with the installing crew... to find the best most safe way to do a project.

It is all about communication... consultation... and consideration of the needs of those who will execute the safely designed work plan...
Time is saved, costs are reduced... and lives/injuries are protected. Innovation and streamlined work plans... equal happy workers and management.

[grassfarmer]

Seem to be good at the misinformation yourself Steve.

Did you read the ministers statement?
http://alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=38924F29E5708-A79B-F147-AFA29B581E073EAD

Quite clear in another statement by the Labor minister was that this is for employed farm workers - not farm kids, not neighbours helping out.

[mcfarms]

Read the bill don't listen to the politicians. Read the bill don't listen to the politicians.

( feel like there are two dobermans chasing me)