Doing things right: Where safety starts

Holding team members accountable for their actions can enforce safety protocols. Sometimes, accountability means punishment for not following the rules. But there’s another way to implement safety standards.

Brandon Rushing, president and founder of B. Rushing Lawn & Landscaping, rewards his employees for maintaining safety standards and incentivizes safety among his crew leaders with recognition.

“We provide a safety awards breakfast each December to honor those who have worked without any accidents that year,” he says.

At the breakfast, crew leaders are awarded based on three categories: 1. Safe driving; 2. No accidents/injuries; and 3. No lost time/time away from work.

According to Rushing, the company’s top safety priorities are wearing personal protective equipment, working to prevent injuries for all team members and following the company’s safety guidelines.

“Safety is more important than production,” Rushing says. “Quality of work and doing things right, that’s where it all starts.”