A serious effort to improve driving safety is underway with an initial focus on driving safety in and around canals. As a precaution, window punches are being installed in every company car, truck, van and enclosed cab tractor and departments are showing a video on how to escape from a submerged vehicle. But, the key is to prevent the vehicles from ever getting into the water. A safety planning and brainstorming session or kaizen recently was held with senior management, farm managers, harvest supervisors, safety & environmental personnel, citrus management, grove managers and citrus environmental and safety staff. The primary recommendation was to improve the methods and frequency of driver training and to raise the level of individual awareness as to the safest methods of operation. Safety Bulletins, which go out each week, are supplemented by "Safety Tips of the Day" that are discussed each morning before work begins. Employees are encouraged to suggest topics for discussion. "First and foremost, we have to change the attitude and mindset, valuing safety just as much as production. If conditions are unsafe, we must halt production," said Steve Stiles, Ritta Farm Manager. Stiles also shared Ritta's recent safety tip on turning equipment around. "Drives should always make a wide turn into the field, never toward the canal," Stiles said. Another driving rule is that vehicles should stay at least three feet away from teh canal bank at all times. There is a grassy strip and often, a small ridge of rock, creating a buffer from the water that is recognizable in the dark or when visibility is limited. Most importantly, if it is too dark, foggy, smoky or dusty to see, stop the vehicle. Make the safe decision. According to Peter Briggs, VP, Environmental Compliance and Programs, "The mission is not just to get the job done, but to get the job done safely." The bottom line is that safety must become automatic - second nature - and everyone must take responsibility for themselves and for those working with them. |
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