Farming is a massive industry on P.E.I., and some farmers say Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is a good time to remind people about the risks of the job and how to stay safe.

The annual campaign — which runs this year until March 21 — encourages farm workers to check their equipment, know the hazards, wear the right gear and be careful around large machinery. 

“Sometimes you think you’re maybe invincible, but you’re not,” said Darryl Wallace, co-owner of Wallace Family Farms in Cascumpec.

“There’s been a lot of accidents over the years, over my lifetime, that you’ve seen and heard about so you don’t want to be one of those stories.”

Wallace knows what it’s like to be involved in a farm accident. When he was 16, a grain auger fell on top of him and broke part of his back and some ribs. 

“I was lucky. I was able to get back up and get going again but some guys are not that lucky,” he said. “You got to be careful. Stupid things do happen, but you try to be as careful as you can.”

Even though he’s been farming for almost 40 years, Wallace knows it’s important for everyone in the industry to remember the dangers of the job to make sure everyone gets home safely.

‘It’s a high-risk job’

Wallace said farm machinery is getting bigger every year, and it’s often difficult to navigate on Island roads.

He’s added extra flashing lights on his machines, and even cameras on some of the really large equipment so he can see what’s happening behind him. 

“You get people who are a little impatient waiting for slower traffic, and they decide they’re going to pass three of us.… That’s when the cameras really come in handy,” he said.

“We see that happening and stop and let the fella that’s in a big hurry get by us. It’s quite a safety feature.”

Wallace has also started using tarps that can be controlled electronically, so he doesn’t have to climb on top of large rigging to pull them off. It’s something he didn’t have in the past, but it makes his life easier and safer. 

He also makes sure to have regular safety meetings with staff on his farm.

“We always have a few new people that come every year. Some of them have no familiarity with the industry,” he said. “You really have to preach to them that the equipment is big and just be careful around the stuff.”

Wallace said it’s a good idea to promote Canadian Agricultural Safety Week to make sure those working in agriculture are property protected.

“It’s a high-risk job for a lot of fellas,” he said. “You’re driving some big rigging.”