A Day for Safety

This post is courtesy of Pat Titus, Illini FS safety and regulatory administrator.

The Illini FS Safety Committee conducted an all-employee Safety Day on March 2nd in Tuscola, Ill. Employees from the ag supply cooperative came to learn more about the importance of safety in the workplace.

“This was a great opportunity for all of our employees to get together and receive training that pertained to their field," said Dennis Mangers, safety committee member. Topics included ergonomics, hazardous material communication, pesticides, and safety attitude as well as several other job-specific topics. GROWMARK Safety Services Manager Doug DeFilippo and Safety Specialist Jenny Poole assisted in the training.

“As we work around our five-county area, not only do we want our employees to be safe but we want to let our customers know that we take care in educating the employees to work safely," said Pat Titus, safety and regulatory administrator. "Our objective is to give the employees training they can use on and off the job. Many of us live in the little towns throughout our trade territory. We want the communities we serve to know that we offer a safe working environment to our employees."

In addition to training and education, employees were recognized for their service to their communities. Employees were recognized who served on fire departments, emergency squads, or LEPC boards. HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) and CPR-trained employees were also recognized.

As a reminder of their commitment to safety, all employees signed a safety contract at the Safety Day. Copies will be made and will hang in all of the cooperative's facilities.

DeFilippo presented Dave Mattingly, Paris facility, with the T.R.U.T.H. (That’s Really Using The Head) in Safety Award. Mattingly was also awarded the Illini FS Partner in Safety Award for 2008. He earned these awards as a result of designing temporary electrical systems for the double-tank anhydrous ammonia nurse tanks.

David Rich, GROWMARK career development trainer, led an afternoon session focused on the importance of customer service.