b'Creating Consistency with SOPsKeeping safety needs to be top-of-mindsafety helps achieve that.Melissa ShipmanTHE STAKES AREhigh for workersSafety Firstin the seed industry, and StandardThe last thing companies want to do is Operating Procedures (SOPs) can helpcreate an SOP that increases risk. create safer, more efficient work environ- A mistake in any safety procedure ments when implemented well.would be not placing employee safety In fact, data from the U.S. Bureau offirst. If Becks does not design and oper-Labor Statistics in 2019 indicates the agri- ate SOP processes with employee safety cultural sector is the most dangerous within mind, it could result in a tragedy, says a fatality rate of 23.1 deaths per 100,000Dixon.workers. In Great Britain, the Health andJody Trevathan, corporate health & Safety Executives 2021-22 data showssafety manager for AgReliant, is espe-the rate of fatal injury to workers in agri- cially focused on the safety of each SOP. culture, forestry and fishing industries isNot only are we outlining how to do 8.03 per 100,000 workers21 times asa job, but also if there is a safety expec-high as the all-industry rate.tation involved, such as if there is PPE Agriculture and the seed industryrequired, or if there is a lock-out, tag-outJody Trevathan serves as corporate health are very dangerous. Countless heavyrequired for a specific task, as well as howand safety manager for AgReliant Genetics.machines and equipment present hazardsto do that procedure, Trevathan says.to operate and work around, says KyleHe believes its a misconception that Dixon, safety director, Becks Hybrids. safety steals efficiency or speed. Employees navigate the hazards thatIn general, people tend to think that heavy machines and equipment bring tosafety steps will slow us down. But if the workplace daily, and its up to theseyoure working with experts who know organizations to take the necessary stepstheir jobs, they will know how to do it to protect their workers, many of whichsafety and efficiently, because we cant rely on SOPs. do anything efficiently if people areWe want them to be able to make itgetting hurt, Trevathan says. home to their family or loved ones in the same physical and mental shape that theySimple Stepsreport to work in, Dixon says.Creating these documented steps is not These written how-to proceduresalways a simple process. It can take make explicitly describe the necessary steps towriting and review cycles to fine tune a safely complete on-the-job tasks.procedure.SOPs are so important, says DrewThe person doing the work daily is DuBois, vice president of Operations andthe one who normally knows the process Supply Chain, AgReliant Genetics. Thethe best and can help improve safety, value they bring to an organization is inquality, and efficiency, Dixon says.helping to mitigate and recognize safety,Trevathan agrees. quality or productivity issues. When youIf youre writing an SOP for the bag-put in the work up front to create SOPs,ging line, for example, get the best bag- Drew DuBois says SOPs allow organizations you can take a lot of risk out of your gers to write down their steps and howto mitigate and recognize safety, quality or business and drive a higher level of they do their job so well, he says.productivity issues. consistency. Team leads and supervisions review 122/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2022'