SAIF's Farm Safety Seminars Under Way
The series began Oct. 31 and will continue into March 2018, visiting 16 Oregon cities in that period.
SAIF, Oregon's state-chartered workers' compensation insurance company, has begun a presenting a series of agriculture safety webinars across the state. They began Oct. 31 and will continue into March 2018 in 16 cities – the off season for Oregon’s agriculture sector, which makes it easier for workers and employers to attend, according to SAIF, which has presented these free, half-day seminars for more than 20 years.
SAIF will present a separate Spanish seminar in nine cities. The schedule and registration details are posted at saif.com/agseminars.
The seminars are designed mainly for people working in agriculture but are open to anyone interested in agriculture safety and health—they do not have to be insured by SAIF. The seminars will be held in Bandon, Central Point, Clackamas, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Madras, Ontario, Salem, The Dalles, Wilsonville, and Woodburn. Spanish-language seminars will be held in Central Point, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, Salem, The Dalles, Wilsonville, and Woodburn.
SAIF said this year's topics include mechanical hazards, ergonomics, safety leadership and communication skills, and the difference between safety and compliance. Employers with small agricultural businesses who attend the seminar will meet OSHA's instructional requirement, one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections; the Oregon State Landscaping Contractors Board has approved the seminar for four hours of continuing education credits and the Department of Consumer and Business Services has approved the seminar for four hours of producer continuing education credits.