Farm in Alberta and the province is just starting to get the WCB and OH&S stuff going for farms, still not finalized on what all the rules are going to be. I have mostly grain crops and a few cows and pasture land. Would like to get a new quad, but wondering how quads and side by sides will work under the new rules. For those living by these rules for the last few years could you please indicate what you do to meet the codes and safety required?
I am thinking that a quad would be a bad purchase right now as it does not have any roll over protection, but they are very handy for chasing cows and the manoverability checking fence. The side by sides have roll over protection, but still do not see them being used in the oil patch here, which has been much heavier regulated until now. Assuming that employees would need a safety course to operate a side by side or a quad, which comes with a cost. Perhaps a used Jeep would be easier to use and less regulated.
With the cost of new side by sides, it would suck to pay the money to buy one and then not be able to use it in 1 year due to govt rules. Again, those operating under these rules, what works for you? I like the atv/utv for checking crops and seeing if low spots are dry enough to seed etc.
On another note, grain bins are going to be classified as confined spaces in the future (as I understand it). That makes it hard to unload flat bottom bins without a lot of extra people, so should a person be thinking hopper bins instead if looking towards grain storage for the next 25 years? Again, I am lead to believe that Ontario and Saskatchewan have been on these rules for years now. Not sure about Manitoba rules for workers.
I am thinking that a quad would be a bad purchase right now as it does not have any roll over protection, but they are very handy for chasing cows and the manoverability checking fence. The side by sides have roll over protection, but still do not see them being used in the oil patch here, which has been much heavier regulated until now. Assuming that employees would need a safety course to operate a side by side or a quad, which comes with a cost. Perhaps a used Jeep would be easier to use and less regulated.
With the cost of new side by sides, it would suck to pay the money to buy one and then not be able to use it in 1 year due to govt rules. Again, those operating under these rules, what works for you? I like the atv/utv for checking crops and seeing if low spots are dry enough to seed etc.
On another note, grain bins are going to be classified as confined spaces in the future (as I understand it). That makes it hard to unload flat bottom bins without a lot of extra people, so should a person be thinking hopper bins instead if looking towards grain storage for the next 25 years? Again, I am lead to believe that Ontario and Saskatchewan have been on these rules for years now. Not sure about Manitoba rules for workers.
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