The safety of your employees is undoubtedly a top priority. The ag industry carries with it more dangers than many other sectors. As a result, extra precautions must be taken to ensure all employees are following OSHA regulations. Follow these tips to make sure that your safety program is effective and being observed as instructed.
Safety is #1
Employees who feel that productivity is more important to employers than safety will often cut corners to get ahead, putting themselves and others at risk. Through your words and actions, make sure your staff knows that safety is the most important thing. A safe work environment will inherently lead to employees who are more comfortable and therefore more productive.
Comprehensive Training
New hires should be thoroughly trained from the beginning. If you are not responsible for their training, make sure you task a dependable employee with this duty. Your safety program will suffer if those training new employees are doing so improperly. Not to mention the risk of accidents will increase.
It is also advisable to periodically offer refresher courses to ensure everyone is on the same page and up-to-date on OSHA regulations.
Provide Support
Employees need to know where to go with safety concerns. Be sure to offer reliable support. This can be a designated safety officer who is an expert in the rules and regulations of the organization. You may also consider developing a safety team that is easily accessible to all employees.
Obtain Feedback
There’s no question that your safety program will evolve with time. Your employees are in the trenches and will know best what is working and what isn’t. Regularly obtain feedback and then implement it. An added benefit is that it will show your team members that their opinions matter and that you are listening.
Reward Safety
Putting a reward system in place for productivity is beneficial and very common for many companies. In addition to productivity rewards, consider implementing a safety recognition program as well. For example, reward the employee who exemplifies the highest safety standards each month with paid time off.
Make Your Next Great Hire!
Safety is an integral part of every agriculture company, and these tips will help ensure your employees follow OSHA regulations.
When it comes time to make your next great hire, partner with the leading agriculture recruiting agency in the nation. Morris Bixby understands the unique challenges ag companies face and use their extensive database to find only the best candidates to fit your needs. Contact us today to get started!