How do you get zero-turn mower operators and the companies that hire them to participate in effective safety training?
In Ocala, FL, Marion County Extension Service Director David Holmes says a hot lunch and a safety "rodeo" with prizes are
good incentives for many of the workers he trains.
David Holmes
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Holmes has conducted a one-day Lawn Maintenance Safety School for commercial landscapers and municipal workers the past several
years. The school gets "good industry support" from equipment manufacturers, he says. "We offer four one-hour training sessions in the morning, serve lunch and offer a safety driving rodeo in the afternoon,"
Holmes says. The sessions always include zero-turn and front deck mower safety, and rotate various other topics such as back
and lifting safety, chemical safety, driving safety and tractor safety. "We have made it a point to serve hot lunch, a reward for many of these workers, then offer the driving rodeo, which consists
of three event courses - zero- turn mower, large tractor and walk-behind mower," Holmes says.
"We conduct evaluations at the end of the classes, and worker responses have always been positive. They have indicated they
learned something that they would change in the way of their 'safety practices.' Winners in the safety rodeo are always very
proud of their trophies.
- BM"I suspect companies that have invested time in their workers and have showed concern for their welfare by sending them to
this school have had more loyal, dedicated workers and better worker retention in the long run, but I have no data to prove
this," he continues. "To further encourage participation, we supply a certificate of training, which is mailed to the employer
after workers have completed their training. Some indicate this is useful for insurance purposes, and all need it for OSHA
purposes."
