Grain safety program to provide training, increase awareness to reduce deaths

The federal government is offering up to $375,000 for a new program to reduce deaths and injuries related to grain-handling.

The money is to go toward training for producers and first responders, awareness programs for children and a mobile demonstration unit.

In 2015, three sisters from Alberta died after they became trapped and suffocated in a dense pile of tiny canola seeds in the family grain truck.

Experts warn such grains can act like quicksand.

The safety program will be run by a non-profit group that includes representatives from the farming industry, producers and governments.

On average, 84 Canadians die each year in agriculture-related accidents — a number that has dropped by about 20 since the 1990s.

"Increased awareness, training for farmers and grain workers will help reduce grain-related injuries and fatalities on the farm," said Liberal MP MaryAnn Mihychuk, who announced the funding in Winnipeg.