Martin Toews demonstrates the product at the Agrimex show in North Battleford (Brady Lang/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Brady Lang

Staying safe

Enhanced bin safety expected from new products

Apr 5, 2019 | 12:15 PM

Farm safety is always top of mind, and a company owner hopes a new product will change how producers navigate grain bins.

Northern Strands has developed its Bin Safe System, which is OH&S complaint, with sales taking off since its release. The system allows for a wire rope to be attached to the bin, with an easy to use rope grab, lanyard and fall protection harness to ensure that those climbing do it safely.

Martin Toews with Northern Strands said the initial product was in development five years ago. The design was shelved, and then they released it to the public.

“It’s a cheap system, and a very user-friendly system,” he said. “Everybody’s been very satisfied with the system.”

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By law, producers are required to have fall protection on any temporary or permanent work area that a worker may fall three or more metres. The OH&S law also states that if there’s a possibility of injury if the worker falls less than three metres, they must be harnessed as well.

According to the Workers Compensation Board’s statistics in 2017, 112 farming and ranching accidents were reported to the WCB, with 59 of those accounting for time loss. Throughout the year, 3,296 falls were claimed overall, with one fatality, and 1,550 accounting for time lost. Toews said many falls are not reported.

Most grain bins work with the system, as it’s compatible with smooth wall and galvanized bins.

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brady.lang@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @BradyLangBFN