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National Arborist Association Safety Award for 2002
Operations
We were recently
notified we have received a national award for our
on-going safety program.
The National Arborist
Association has awarded us with their Safety Award for
2002 Operations.
This NAA award, designed
to recognize and award member companies for proactive
performance and/or exemplary contribution in the area of
safety prevention for 2002, was presented to Mr. Judson
R. Scott at the NAA Annual Conference in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, on February 5, 2003.
Activities
for recognition include:
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A
safety manual was written and distributed to all
employees. From this document a Hazard Communication
document was written and a Haz-com policy was
instituted.
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After
the Safety manual was written and distributed safety
meetings were instituted for the company. This has
been a developing program which has a way to go but
aside from the standard safety concerns sessions or
handouts have included
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Vine
& Branch also instituted a policy that New Hires
spend their first days in a classroom setting where
they view safety videos from the NAA and from
equipment vendors.
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A
Vine & Branch crew leader was sent to
Arbormasters training which resulted in the
institution of a new climbing system for the
climbing crews because the Arbormaster system was
deemed to be safer and less fatiguing for the
climbers.
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A
“Boot Allowance” was instituted for all workers.
This allowance is considered part of the employees
benefit package. This new policy removed the age old
dispute of what footwear was appropriate because now
the company has some say in what the employee wears.
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All
crew members and managers were paid for a Saturday
to attend first aid and CPR training which resulted
in 15 receiving the first aid and CPR certification.
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Vine
& Branch managers were trained by the company in
risk analysis for trees which are weakened by decay
or construction damage.
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This
risk evaluation program led to the development
of a Tree Risk Advisory letter which is sent to
clients, neighbors of clients, municipalities,
parks departments etc. when a tree is noticed
that presents a hazard to the general public.
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This
risk evaluation program has been discussed at
length through
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Company
newsletters
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Company
fact sheets
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A
Tree Talk given to The State Golf Course
Association
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2
Articles written for and published in the
Indiana Arborist Association newsletter, The
Hoosier Arborist
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Tree
Talks given at a local garden show Orchard
in Bloom.
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Vine
& Branch also instituted a Safety Awareness
program which included:
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A
notice board in the company break room for
posters and news releases.
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A
company “Empower program” which is a
suggestion program intended to draw suggestions
for further safety ideas from employees.
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Vine
& Branch is currently offering a watch to
individual crew members with the admonition
“There’s always time for safety.”
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An
“Incident Report Program” was also instituted.
Results
The Vine & Branch safety Plan is just a
beginning. There are many more programs, sessions and
speakers planned. The Safety Plan has had great results.
Including the following
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Vine
& Branch has been able to keep its rating of .64
with the Workman’s comp.
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Vine
& Branch has been accepted as a Contractor for
Eli Lilly and Company because of its dedication to
safety and because of its superior record.
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Vine
& Branch received a letter after an Insurance
Safety Audit which “had no recommendations for
safety improvements”.
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Vine
& Branch has been asked to put together a 4 hour
Safety Training program for the Crown Hill Cemetery
grounds staff. Crown Hill Cemetery is the nation’s
third largest cemetery and a long term Vine &
Branch client.
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Vine
& Branch has been asked to assist in Risk
Evaluation programs for local Parks Departments, and
other municipality agencies.
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Vine
& Branch has been asked to speak to the Indiana
Golf Course Superintendents Association.
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