Safety & Training

Motto: "Work safely...because LIFE is more important than work."

 

"At West Tree Service, SAFETY is our Number ONE priority. It takes precedence over everything else we do."
--Ford Overton, CEO

 

West Tree Service Safety Philosophy

Our safety philosophy at West Tree Service is grounded in the belief that it’s not just about following policies or procedures; it’s about doing the right thing. We have a responsibility to work safely and promote safety for the benefit of our employees, our customers and the public which we serve.

 

At West Tree Service, SAFETY is our number ONE priority because it HAS to be. We work in a hazardous environment and our employees are our most important resource. Our primary goal at the beginning of each day is that our employees go home without injury so that they can enjoy their lives with their families. Accidents are caused by people and the best way to prevent accidents is to "educate and communicate."

 

The safety education begins even before an employee is hired.

 

We have invested heavily in our safety programs including a full safety staff, employee handbooks, certification and training programs as well as an all-encompassing corporate safety manual. We adhere to government safety (OSHA) regulations and industry safety (ANSI) standards, but our philosophy, mentioned above, entails much more than standards and regulations.

 

Whether at home or on the job, we want all of our employees to work safely and free from injury so that they can enjoy their lives to the fullest extent possible.

 

Training and Certifications

Training

New Employees – New employees receive a new-hire orientation which includes video and/or computer based "Powersafe" training; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training; chipper and chainsaw safety training; power line and hardware recognition safety training; and emergency aerial rescue training.

 

Additional Training – Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP); MSDS and Chemical safety; Fall prevention and Fall protection; First Aid and CPR; annual Emergency Aerial Rescues; SMITH Driving Skills; Clearance Order & Grounding safety; and Emergency Procedures training and more.

 

Certifications

The certification process is a way for our employees to "move up" in the company. All certifications are rooted in conducting and completing tasks as SAFELY as possible. The progression of promotions rests solely with the employees, but they are expected to complete the following milestones within a reasonable period of time. The first step in this process is to complete the Ground Person Certification. From there, an employee can steer his or her career in several different directions. The certification process helps promote our employees, which benefits both the employees and the company.

 

Ground Person - This first step of becoming a certified ground person must begin with completion and understanding of the Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP). The EHAP is a self-study program and a test must be completed and then reviewed with the employee’s General Foreman. The ground person certification is a detailed process that introduces or reaffirms basic on-the-job training needs for all employees. This training is mentored by the employee’s Foreman and General Foreman.

 

Trimmer (Bucket/Climbing) - Before any employee can learn to operate a bucket or climb trees for trimming purposes, he or she must first have spent time as a ground person and have completed the ground person certification. Trimmer training begins under the direct supervision of a technically qualified and trimmer-certified foreman and General Foreman.

 

Tractor/Bush Hog Operator - Our equipment operators go through similar training and will have another certification process to complete. The tractor operator must know the specific duties of running the equipment as well as his ground person duties. These two-person teams have to work and communicate well together.

 

Jarraff Operator - A jarraff is a highly valuable and productive piece of equipment. A certified jarraff operator may be required to travel and/or be part of a "split shift." A jarraff is a vital piece of equipment in our business and certifying a jarraff operator is a high priority.

 

Foreman - Our foremen have completed ground person and trimmer certifications and are recommended to manage a bucket, climbing or equipment crew. In addition to a SAFE and responsible attitude, we always look for LEADERSHIP qualities in our Foremen.

 

Full-Time Safety Staff

Over the past several years, West Tree Service has invested heavily in our safety department with time, people and equipment. This investment helps our proactive approach to safety and allows all employees to listen to and discuss safety issues relevant to their jobs, tasks and worksites. We are very pleased that our safety results have improved over the years because that means our employees are enjoying more safe and secure days at work.

 

Each day that West Tree Service crews are at work, the dedicated members of our safety team are also hard at work. On any given day, our safety specialists will:

• Conduct site safety visits and observations
• Conduct truck and crew safety audits
• Facilitate safety meetings
• Counsel and coach employees
• Provide training
• Provide certification testing

Safety Communication Methods

Each week, at least one Safety or Training Meeting is held in each area. These meetings may be called by West Tree Service management, the area General Foreman, a Safety Specialist, a customer representative or an employee. It is mission-critical to West Tree Service that we provide safety communication on a daily basis, that our team of managers and supervisors lead by example, and that we are responsible, and held accountable, for the safety of our employees.

 

Additional safety communication methods include:

• Sunday Safety Messages - Our Sunday Safety Messages are written weekly by members of our management team and sent to all areas to be shared with the employees. These messages are meant to stir emotions in the employees to begin their thought process about working safely at the beginning of the week, so they can work safely and go home free from injury.
• Safety Stand Downs - Once in a while, a method of communication called a "stand down" is used to immediately stop all work and gather employees to hear an important announcement. Sometimes these meetings are held to discuss a recent incident and are used as a "RE-FOCUS" meeting.
• Paycheck Mailers - These are simple safety messages mailed out with the paychecks as another "quick reminder" about a safety item that will soon require the employees' attention. Some of these messages include reminders of:
  • Daylight Savings Time changes
  • Upcoming holidays and safety during said holidays (Halloween, New Years Eve)
  • Seasonal reminders (working in heat/cold, etc.)
  • School Starting/Ending (watching out for children)