Barn Fire Safety Checklist

BENEFITS
Farming is a dangerous occupation. Farm workers frequently suffer serious work-related injuries and illnesses, and fatalities are very common. In early 2016, Canada suffered several devastating barn fires that resulted in massive loss of animal life and millions of dollars’ worth of property damage. Two separate fires claimed the lives of 56 horses, another killed around 500 goats and 30 cattle, while yet another killed approximately 2,000 pigs. Although these fires didn’t result in any injuries to or deaths of farm workers, the next one might.

HOW TO USE THE TOOL

In response to the Canadian barn fires mentioned above, the National Fire Protection Association released a barn fire safety checklist on which this one is based. Adapt it for any applicable requirements in your jurisdiction’s OHS laws and use it to assess the safety of your barn in terms of preventing fires. Make sure to promptly address any deficiencies identified.