#AgSafety Leader – June 2017

PAULA BAXTER
Valleybrook Gardens
“Her enthusiasm towards safety has resulted in employees understanding and appreciating the importance of ongoing training and supervision.”

Paula Baxter has worked at Valleybrook Gardens for over 20 years, her current role with the company is Operations Manager. Valleybrook Gardens is one of North America’s largest perennial growers, with locations in Abbotsford and Ontario.

Paula brings a very positive and inclusive approach to health and safety in the workplace. This has resulted in a strong sense of accountability for employees and supervisors. AgSafe Safety Advisors have visited Valleybrook Gardens often over the past few years, offering training and consulting services. It’s during these visits that the implementation of their safety program can be clearly seen. Not only are written policies and procedures developed, they are relevant to the job environment and implemented thoroughly.

Over the years, Paula has continued to expand the company’s safety program – treating it like an open document. Her enthusiasm towards safety has resulted in employees understanding and appreciating the importance of ongoing training and supervision.

One example that highlights Paula’s hard work and innovative thinking is the ‘Working Alone or in Isolation’ alarm monitoring system – Workers are required to sign in on a keypad when they begin working alone and if they don’t check back in as per the timed interval, an alarm will sound and notify the supervisor.

Paula’s contributions to the company’s safety culture have not gone unnoticed. On a number of occasions, WorkSafeBC has brought visitors to tour Valleybrook Gardens and their exemplary health and safety program in action. This year Valleybrook Gardens is working towards COR certification. With their commitment to safety and Paula’s safety sense, a successful audit is a sure bet.

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