Approved for up to $32,262 under the Ontario Farm Innovation Program (OFIP), this project aims to reduce risk and injuries among workers in the Ontario tender fruit, apple and fresh grape industries by providing producers with online access to relevant and practical health and safety information, templates and tools. The content developed out of this project is being integrated into the online Fruit/AppleTracker record management system; a technology many producers already use to access information and manage their businesses.

The tender fruit, apple and fresh grape boards are partnering with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) to develop an effective occupational health and safety (OHS) program addressing hazardous characteristics of operations specific to their industries. The applicants are also working with Dragonfly IT Inc. to effectively integrate this programming and build upon the existing success of the Fruit/AppleTracker system.

This two year project will develop an industry tailored OHS policy and procedure templates, tools and training materials providing resources to support growers in implementing health and safety programs and practices appropriate to their operations. The creation of an on-line Fruit/AppleTracker module will provide a convenient and user-friendly platform to access information and tools to efficiently track and manage workers safety efficiently. Growers will also be supported with instruction on assessing hazards at their operations, developing appropriate policies and procedures, and how to access and utilize the worker safety tools and templates through a series of regionally scheduled workshops.

"By offering grower members a web-based method to incorporate health and safety policies and procedures tailored to their operations, we are streamlining the education and training process" says Larissa Osborne, Project Manager for Ontario Apple, Fresh Grape and Tender Fruit Boards.

The OFIP is funded through Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. The Agricultural Adaptation Council assists in the delivery of GF2 in Ontario.

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