At Jaakkoo-Taara, safety and employee well-being are a central part of the work community activities. The forklift course and hearing protection training organized this month are concrete examples of how we invest in personnel expertise and the safety of the working environment.
Safety in a confined working environment
The forklift course aimed to reduce the risk of accidents and improve the safety of the working environment. Our operations have expanded and the limited space poses its challenges. Narrow passages and encounters at corners require forklift drivers to have great driving skills and the ability to work safely but efficiently.
20 people participated in the forklift course, which included a five-hour theoretical part on the safety principles of forklift driving and a one-hour practical driving exercise. The trainer was Samuli Heinonen from Toyota Material Handling Finland. The participants were especially satisfied with the comprehensive treatment of safety aspects.
We follow a strict policy for new forklift operators: only those, who have completed training or have extensive driving experience and have passed a demonstration test administered by supervisor Jari Louhi, are allowed to drive a forklift. This practice ensures that all forklift drivers are familiar with the legislation and safety regulations.
Hearing protection as part of workplace well-being
Wurth Safety@Work expert Juha-Pekka Kokko introduced 16 participants to the use of hearing protection and its importance. The training covered different hearing protection options and their suitability for different working conditions.
The training was based on noise dose measurements, the results of which were used to create noise maps. These maps show the noise levels and possible noise peaks in each area, which helps employees choose the right hearing protection. Hearing protection training is part of our broader occupational safety strategy.
Safety is an important part of our work culture
Jaakkoo-Taara’s goal is zero accidents, and this goal will be part of our performance bonus model in the future. We aim for every employee to participate in at least three occupational safety training courses per year. This year, the program includes two more first aid courses organized by occupational health care, and an initial firefighting exercise in the Securitas fire simulator, in which the entire staff participates.
Safety training has increased employee safety awareness, and feedback has been positive. The training not only reduces the risk of accidents and sick leave but also improves the working atmosphere and demonstrates the employer’s commitment to the well-being of the personnel.
The cornerstone of Jaakkoo-Taara’s safety culture is the understanding that employees are the company’s most important resource. Competence development and a safe working environment support both the well-being of individuals and the success of the entire company.