As a senior safety management consultant at SAIF, a not-for profit workers’ compensation insurance company in Oregon, I work with policyholders every day to assess their workplace safety and offer guidance on how to make workers safer on the job. I get to spend a lot of time with nurseries in the Willamette Valley and […]
Farmers reminded to stay safe around overhead power lines
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The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is working in partnership with Idaho Power, Pacific Power and Portland General Electric — the three major regulated electric utility service providers in Oregon — to remind the agricultural community of important tips to ensure they stay SAFE when working near power lines. Those working in the agricultural industry are reminded […]
EPA proposes new pesticide rules
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For the first time in 20 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new worker protection standards for the application of pesticides. These new rules would apply on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses, and would cover workers who handle and apply pesticides, as well as those who handle treated products. “The EPA and the […]
Pesticide and waste collection event coming Oct. 22
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A free collection event for agricultural wastes, pesticides and empty containers will be held from 8 a.m.–noon Saturday, Oct. 22 at Clean Harbors Environmental Services, 12402 S.E. Jennifer St., Clackamas, Ore. An event flier can be downloaded here. The event is being sponsored by Clackamas River Water Providers, Clackamas River Basin Council, the Clackamas Soil […]
Ag exemption survives cell phone crackdown
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Oregon Business has an article today explaining the changes in Oregon’s “hang up and drive” law — the one that prohibits motorists from cell phone use and text messaging unless they have a hands-free set. Under the current law, passed in 2009, there’s an exemption for any work-related calls. Not for long, however. Legislators thought that […]
Picking the best tool for the job
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Hand tools have been around for many centuries, and despite the proliferation of mechanical and automated equipment, they remain the best way to do many common nursery jobs. How do you pick the best and safest hand tool for any job? This article by Miles McCoy (PDF) from the May 2010 issue of Digger explains […]
EPA plans more stringent evaluation of chemicals
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday that it will strengthen its assessment of pesticide risks, particularly to farmworkers and children. Per the press release: Under the policy, EPA risk assessments for children, farmworkers and others, would consider aggregate pesticide exposures from all sources in addition to the cumulative effects from multiple pesticides that […]
Getting ready for H1N1
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Flu season is almost here. The typical flu season kills 36,000 Americans, hospitalizes 200,000 and costs U.S. businesses $10 billion in lost productivity. With the potentially deadly H1N1 strain in the mix, public officials fear this year’s impacts could be far worse. How can companies and individuals minimize risk? “It’s Not Flu as Usual: An […]
How the public feels
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How do Oregonians feel about agriculture? A recent public opinion survey by Conkling, Fiskum & McCormick revealed opinion trends on a number of issues, from water use to pesticides to organic farming. The Oregon Department of Agriculture outlined several of the most significant results in a press release. Among those results, a strong majority favors […]
Chemeketa offers native plant class among winter offerings
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Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., has announced its winter term offerings in horticulture, landscaping and pesticides. Registration begins Dec. 8, and classes run Jan. 5-March 21, 2009. The offerings include a new class titled “Native Plant Propagation and Use.” Others cover plant propagation, greenhouse production/management, woody plant identification, soils/media/nutrition, viticulture, landscape design, landscape irrigation, […]