This content has been archived as it may no longer be accurate or relevant.

MEDIA RELEASE

Langley, B.C. / November 2, 2015 – The Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association (FARSHA) is rebranding as AgSafe to better reflect the work they do and the community they serve.

For over twenty years the association has been the expert on safety in the workplace for British Columbia’s agriculture industry. Launched in 1993 as a joint initiative of WorkSafeBC (Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia), the BC Agriculture Council and the Canadian Farmworkers’ Union, AgSafe is committed to creating safer work environments for all individuals working in the agriculture industry.

AgSafe’s mission is to reduce the number of agriculture-related workplace deaths and injuries. They are doing this by offering health and safety programs, training and evaluation, consultation and guidance.

Their head office in Langley, B.C. houses a reference library and other industry safety information materials. AgSafe’s team of safety consultants with specialized agricultural knowledge are available throughout B.C. to conduct safety courses, provide safety materials and advice, and help owners, operators and workers implement specific health and safety programs.

AgSafe is also expanding their membership community to include landscape trades and professionals, garden centres, wholesale and retail nurseries, suppliers and tree services. Access to their health and safety services and resources, historically offered only to ranchers and farmers, is now available to this sector as well.

For more information visit www.agsafebc.ca, or email contact@agsafebc.ca.

Facts:

• Between 2010 and 2014, 610 agricultural workers were seriously injured and 13 killed in work-related incidents. (Data Source: Business Information & Analysis, WorkSafeBC, December 31, 2014 http://www2.worksafebc.com/Portals/Agriculture/Statistics.asp)
• While the injury rate trend for the agricultural sector saw a significant drop in 2011, the rate had returned to peak levels by 2013. (Data Source: Business Information & Analysis, WorkSafeBC, December 31, 2014 http://www2.worksafebc.com/Portals/Agriculture/Statistics.asp)

Quotes:

AgSafe Executive Director, Wendy Bennett –

“AgSafe may have a new name, but we are still the same ‘go-to’ health and safety association that is working diligently to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on farms and ranches, in garden centres and retail nurseries, and at the work locations of landscapers in all regions of BC. In fact changing our name to AgSafe defines our purpose more clearly. We are the authorities on workplace safety for agriculture sector.”

About AgSafe

For over twenty years AgSafe has been the expert on safety in the workplace for British Columbia’s agriculture industry and is committed to reducing the number of agriculture-related workplace deaths and injuries by offering health and safety programs, training, evaluation and consultation services.

For more information about AgSafe resources and services call 1-877-533-1789 or visit www.AgSafeBC.ca

Media Contact:

Lennea Durant
Media Relations
604-875-1182
lenneadurant@shaw.ca