RIDGETOWN, ON (June 4, 2015)
Do your farm workers need pesticide safety training? Farmers in Ontario are certified to purchase and use Class 2 and 3 pesticides after passing the Grower Pesticide Safety Course. Once certified, you can supervise up to 3 Farmer Assistants to help with pesticide applications. Farmer Assistants must also be trained before using pesticides and there are two ways for them to get the training they need. They can:
• participate in a Grower Pesticide Safety Course (no exam required), or
• participate in a training session presented by an On-Farm Instructor.
Now, in collaboration with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW), Spanish speaking On-Farm Instructors are available for hire to help train Farmer Assistants. Call 1-800-652-8573 or email rcopep@uoguelph.ca for a list of available Spanish speaking On-Farm Instructors.
The Ontario Pesticide Education Program has offered courses since 1987. The courses focus on product information, health and environmental risk management, pesticide application and pesticide safety practices. Currently over 22 000 growers, 1 300 vendors and nearly 300 On-Farm Instructors are certified through the program. It is supported by growers, OMAFRA, pesticide manufacturers and retailers.
The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) is a Prevention System partner assisting workers and workplaces to reduce the individual and societal burden of occupational illness and disease. Their Migrant Farm Worker Program has provided services to the Agricultural community since 2006. Current initiatives include: health and safety workshops, educational materials in multiple languages and formats, workplace consultations, and medical clinics. All services are provided at no charge.
For more information, contact:
Susan Kelner or Lynn Van Maanen
Ontario Pesticide Education Program
University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus
Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0
519-674-1500 x63584 or x63586
skelner@uoguelph.ca or lvanma01@uoguelph.ca
or
Eduardo Huesca
OHCOW – Hamilton
848 Main Street East
Hamilton, ON L8M 1L9
905-549-2552 x2221
EHuesca@whcow.on.ca
