Mt Safety Culture Act was enacted by the 1993 Montana State Legislature. It encourages workers and employers to create a philosophy of
workplace safety by raising awareness and implementing a safety program for all employees and employers.
Taking risk is an inherent part of all agricultural operations because of weather, market fluctuations, etc. However, taking risks with the safety and
health of employees is not worth the exposure to potential high level losses. Money spent on establishing and maintaining a farm/ranch safety program
has a high rate of return in preventing indirect costs to the operation. Making safety a priority and actively promoting safety to your employees can
change your employee's behavior toward safety and reduce the number of workplace accidents.
Requirements and Recommendations of the MT Safety Culture Act
THINK SAFETY
Every employer shall establish, implement and maintain an educational based training program which shall at a minimum:
workplace safety by raising awareness and implementing a safety program for all employees and employers.
Taking risk is an inherent part of all agricultural operations because of weather, market fluctuations, etc. However, taking risks with the safety and
health of employees is not worth the exposure to potential high level losses. Money spent on establishing and maintaining a farm/ranch safety program
has a high rate of return in preventing indirect costs to the operation. Making safety a priority and actively promoting safety to your employees can
change your employee's behavior toward safety and reduce the number of workplace accidents.
Requirements and Recommendations of the MT Safety Culture Act
THINK SAFETY
Every employer shall establish, implement and maintain an educational based training program which shall at a minimum:
- 1 - Provide each new employee a general "Safety Orientation" containing information common to all employees and appropriate to the
business operations, before they begin their regular job duties (Orientation sheets are 1a through 1c) - 2 - Provide "Task-Specific" safety training appropriate for employees before they perform that job task without direct supervision. (Task
Specific safety sheets are 2a through 2j) - 3 - Provide continuing regular refresher safety training refresher using the "General Safety Rules" (Rule description sheet 3)
- 4 - Provide a system to develop an awareness and appreciation of safety via periodic safety meetings, posters, safety incentive programs
and/or newsletters. "Safety Awareness signs" (Signs 4a through 4b) - 5 - Provide, at least annually, periodic self-inspections for safety hazard assessment or when new worksites or equipment are established.
"Farm Safety Assessment" form (Form 5) - 6 - Provide and keep documentation of performance of activities that comply with 1 through 5 above for three years, which will include
annual review materials and documented corrective actions. This includes: Signed copies of Safety Orientation Statement; A Written Safety
Plan; Safety meeting records; Safety Inspection Records; and other records dealing with employee safety.
- 1 - Must have policies and procedures that assign specific safety responsibilities and safety performance accountability
- 2 - Must have internal procedures for reporting, investigating, and taking corrective action on all work-related incidents, accidents, injuries,
illnesses and known unsafe work conditions or practices - 3 - Must have a safety committee that:
- a) Is composed of employee and employer representatives and hold regularly scheduled meetings at least once every four months
- b) Includes membership of employee volunteers or those elected by their peers
- c) Document fact finding activities that assist the employer in identifying and dealing with potential safety hazards.
