|
The TCIA Safety Awards
The TCIA Safety Awards recognize exemplary action in two areas. The
Outstanding Individual/Crew Performance award recognizes an
individual's or crew's heroic reaction to an emergency situation.
The Outstanding Company Contribution award recognizes a member's
proactive program to address safety issues.
Activities for
recognition include:
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Vine & Branch managers were trained by the
company in risk analysis for trees which are weakened by decay
or construction damage.
-
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.
-
This risk evaluation program has been
discussed at length through
-
Company newsletters
-
Company fact sheets
-
A Tree Talk given to The State Golf
Course Association
-
2 Articles written for and published in
the Indiana Arborist Association newsletter, The
Hoosier Arborist
-
Tree Talks given at a local garden show
Orchard in Bloom.
-
Vine & Branch also instituted a Safety Awareness
program which included:
-
A notice board in the company break room for
posters and news releases.
-
A company “Empower program” which is a
suggestion program intended to draw suggestions for further
safety ideas from employees.
-
Vine & Branch is currently offering a watch
to individual crew members with the admonition “There’s
always time for safety.”
-
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 -
-
Vine & Branch has been able to keep its rating
of .64 with the Workman’s comp.
-
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.
-
Vine & Branch received a letter after an
Insurance Safety Audit which “had no recommendations for safety
improvements”.
-
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.
-
Vine & Branch has been asked to assist in Risk
Evaluation programs for local Parks Departments, and other
municipality agencies.
-
Vine & Branch has been asked to speak to the
Indiana Golf Course Superintendents Association.
Back to Awards & Recognition
web pages
|
