AB OH&S... WCB... NDP new rules

[furrowtickler]

What the cost of gas at the pumps in relation to a barrel of oil?
Overregulation skyrockets production cost - but big oil can pass it on - we will be fuked by three ends if this comes in force - just after Tom makes even more millions on the new seed laws getting rammed down our throats - anyone wana make bet ??????

[macdon02]

Talking with landlord in the combine tonight, he figures machinery will start going smaller but will be autosteer without operator. If we get enough regulation on bullshit safety vests, hard hats, overtime etc etc, I'll be one of the first to adopt the tech. Its almost to the point now that if I could get a self driving machine that could be ran from laptop or pickup and run consistently 24/7 it would be worth it. Think about that, and to the nay sayers that still have a foammarker cuz the gps might not work, everyting is replacable.

[bucket]

If farms could pass their cost of production on like every other industry th the rural area in this province would look much different.

And our industry and communities would look better as well.

Sad thing is -no one has figured out it would only take a few cents on a loaf to make that happen.

Oh sorry, the middleman has got it figured out. And do does his back pocket.

[farmaholic]

macdon02, You're already agreeing to release the developers of the software and product of any liability before they will allow you to enable it. Now one step further.... no ass in the seat? I'm not nay saying but holy shit there has to be someone in there to take control if something goes haywire.

What happens when the growing season is so wet that potholes with water in them weren't there in spring or hydro line poles?

Doesn't JD already have the tractor pulling the grain cart controlled remotely?

Keeping an ass in the seat may pale in comparison to the potential disasters.

Funny part is alot of what was thought to be science fiction has become reality.

[sk_wheatking]

Farmers are the only business operators IN THE WORLD that don't pass cost of production along and I will never change. Fuel goes up others just charge a fuel surcharge, and never take it off even if fuel was suddenly free. Everything the consumer buys he/she pays the freight, but wait farmers pay the freight to sell their product. Freight from the combine, to the elevator, to the coast then to final destination, now that's a joke in itself. It goes on and on. Like someone said on here before, farmers are just parasite hosts.

[farmaholic]

Then who will be able to afford to eat and not? I know, I'm with you 100%---it's not my ****ing problem or responsibility....!!!!

But I still pay.

[TOM4CWB]

This isn't about passing cost along... it is about the risk of human error.

'Experts' are wrong each day... including ND policy advisors.

Where is our 'safety net' for our grandchildren's future?

As those in Greece how it has worked out for their young people. Pure recipe for disaster.

Yet we are about to elect Tom Mulcair... and it looks at first glance that the vast majority on Agriville like that Idea... or voting for Justin...
The thinking is...anyone but PM Harper.
WOW.
Give folks a sharp knife... and they will stab their next generations in the back... without a care in the world about the consequences.???

We deserve the gov. we elect... but our grandchildren will pay the price. And 1 or 2C will be the least of their problems... the green movement will have a computer chip running everything... then watch an EMP take out Human life on this planet... without a bullet or building destroyed. ISIS must be grinning... as are the Iranians and N Koreans.

[charliep]

I have been trying to stay off Agriville but I have to ask the people who use WCB today whether the mechanics/processes around taking on this insurance are really that difficult/time consuming/expensive.

To me this comes down to risk management and your commitment to employees to provide a safe work environment where they are well instructed/in a dangerous work environment have the best chance to return home to their families every night. If an accident does happen, you as a manager/owner of a business are able to provide for their individual/family needs.

I realize the conversation is about this insurance being compulsory but the background is that you as business have a responsibility to employees including family members. That comes down to risk management practices.

[nicolaas]

It costs about 2.7-2.8% extra in wages. It is cheap insurance. Not a big deal unless you are a under the table type guy or an exceptional skinflint. The only way around this is to have the worker direct contract to you, but you will pay for it anyways i'm sure with increase in wage.

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie,

I have no problem today with the cost or regulations around WCB we buy for our people and family on this farm.

My strong advice is that private insurance be allowed... as well as the WCB coverage... which is being used well by many farms today.

Competition is good. Private Insurance alongside Public WCB is good. Neither one gets too far out of line.

Give WCB a monopoly... and they can easily become the CWB instead with a single desk. I truly hope we will not make this mistake.

When I brought this up to the political powers that be... I was told private insurance is sometimes no good... because it can be litigated in court... and delay payments.

My response is: there are a good number of WCB covered folks denied WCB benefits... that are stuck without income and fair compensation when injured

We have a good system today WHY CHANGE IT!!!

JUST BECAUSE THE ND'S Can... not because there is a big problem~!!!

[charliep]

I will leave the discussion about alternatives alone but I would ask the question whose responsibility is it to look after an injured employee while they are recuperating or a catastrophic event with lifetime issues? If the answer is society/the taxpayer, should not employers be expected to pay a base level of insurance of some sort?

[TOM4CWB]

Charlie,

"Competition is good. Private Insurance alongside Public WCB is good"

It must be asked... are workers somewhat responsible to work safe... and refuse to do unsafe jobs that will injure themselves?

The whole Safety system is predicated upon the judgement that employers can see that workers are competent and will make safe work decisions. Otherwise employers are not to allow any worker to do a job without skills are not up to standards of good competency.

Where do mistakes and lapses in judgement enter in? 99 percent of the time I would say!

An Employer then must ask the worker... "Are you sure you are comfortable and capable of doing this job safely? If the worker answers yes... then they should be responsible as well... is it 50-50?

What were you thinking Charlie?