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WHITBY FREE PRESS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 1973, PAGE 3 COMPENSA TION ON THE FARM Most farmers are aware of the fact that their workers are covered under the Ontario Workmen's Compensation Act. As a matter of interest, they have been obliged to cover their workers since 1966. However, some of the details of coverage bear repeating for those farm operators who don't fully understand the whole picture. The assessment rate for farm workers is divided into two categories: one covers the operation of chicken and turkey farms, mushroom, tobacco, nursery, market gardens and florist farms. That assessment rate is $1.50 per $100 payroll. The second is $3.35 per $100 and covers Christmas tree, dairy, stock, hog and general farms, and those operators performing custom cash crop operat- ions. Those farmers who engage in both types of operations and can show a separation of duties and maintain a separate payroll, may be eligible for assessment under both rates, For further information about this, an operator should contact the Toronto Head Office of the Workmen's Compensation Board at 90 Harbour Street. Any person who is paid a stated wage and works under control and supervision is automatically covered and is eligible for benefits under the Act. The employer must record the employee's name and wages in his payroll records. Members of the farmer's family, except his wife are considered as workmen when paid a stated wage. This information must be recorded on the wages - paid form in the section for "Relatives of Employer and Partner." Room and board is included at a rate of $2.00 per day or $14.00 per week, except in the instance where the employer has a son or daughter still attending school. Farmers and their wives may apply for personal coverage in any amount between $4,000 and $10,000 per year. This coverage may be requested for part of the year only, and this must be indicated when applied for. When such application is made, the amount of the employer's earnings or drawings is not taken into consider- ation. Costs are calculated at the same rate as for employees in the industry. For operators who do not have any hired help, the farmer may request independent operator coverage which is assessed at the rate determined for the type of business that he has. Exchange of labour is a common practice today. Employees who are sent to a neighbouring farm and still included on the payroll of their employer are covered in the event of an accident. At this busy time of year, farmers are more susceptible to accidents than at other times. Working with the Farm Safety Association the Workmen's Compensation Board protects the farm employee, and in a very direct way the employer, also. An unsafe operation can cost the operator untold sums in lost productivity and thereby, in profits. Work Safely: Accident Prevention Pays! COUNCIL NEWS Whitby Council recently went into committee of the whole to decide not to take any action on comments by the Whitby Citizens' Study Group that industrial land proposed in the official plan was inadequate for the towns needs. Keith Birch, deputy plan- ning director, said that out of the 35,800 acres in Whitby, 5000 acres are des- ignated residential, 1950 in- dustrial, 250 commercial, and the rest being left open for agricultural purposes. He said that this creates a ratio of 80% open space to 20% residential, commercial and industrial. Mayor Newman said that 30% of the total developable land in the plan is devoted to industry which he said was an incrediably high figure. At a recent council me- eting, Reeve Tom Edwards said that council should th- ank the people of Whitby for their participation in the County Town Carnival and Homecoming - Celebrations, which were no doubt the best ever. He suggested that possibly council should have a get - together to recognize the people who contributed to the weekend's success. Councillor Bob White ask- ed Council recently to hold a public meeting with res- idents of Garrard Road to discuss the construction of sidewalks in that area. The discussion stemmed from five letters to Council from area people objecting to the sidewalks. Some of the writers suggested that they would rather have 79 Dominion Ave. Kapuskasing, Ontario August 8, 1973 Dear Sir, On Monday, July 30th, I was driving through your fair city enroute to Kingston. I was pulling a trailer and had my wife and three child- ren with me. A police officer pulled ine over and pointed out that my trailer tire had developed a bubble and was badly out of balance. Needless to say I changed the tire immediat- ely. I am writing this letter to convey personal thanks to this officer on behalf of my family and myself. After examining the condition of the tire when removed, I feel his action averted what could have been a serious accident. Although I did not get the officer's name I am sure he will recall the incident. A great deal of publicity both pro and con has been carried through the media about the police in our coun- try recently. I believe the public should be made aware of the actions of the people who serve them, and I also believe the city of Whitby Sincerely, John A. Green BATH ROOM ____ TISSUEee* S S' White2 orColour TOOTPAST *3=88c 5e CURAD "Ouchless" BANDAGES10 Box of 100 - 3/4" x 3" - SUGG. LIST $1.75 IN WHITBY COURTICE-ALLIN I.D.A. PHARMACY 111 Brkk St. M. 668-394 &N BROOKLON SHORT'S I.D.i PHARMACY 15 Baldwin St. 655.331 Come in to sec more SALE SPECIALS not listed here Il Readers vvrite 1 :1