By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is offering new resources and training programs to help dairy processors keep their employees safe on the job.
Beginning today, WCMA is offering a library of regulatory references and safety plan templates on WisCheeseMakers.org. These resources are free and available to all in the dairy processing industry.
Beginning in December 2023, WCMA will also offer two new employee safety training programs:
WCMA Train the Safety Trainer Course: This course will equip dairy processors' safety trainers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively communicate safety expectations and protocols for maximum compliance. The course will be offered in-person on December 12, 2023, and virtually on January 30, 2024.
Basic Safety Training for Dairy Processing Workers: This course will teach participants about their rights, employer responsibilities, and how to identify, abate, and avoid job-related hazards. The course will be offered six times in 2024, with virtual offerings on February 20, May 14, and September 24 and in-person offerings at WCMA's training center in Madison, Wisconsin on April 9, June 4, and October 15.
Successful participants in both training programs will come away with a packet of training materials and a certificate of completion from Chippewa Valley Technical College and WCMA.
WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney said that the new resources and training programs are designed to help dairy processors comply with OSHA regulations and keep their employees safe.
"Dairy processors know that a robust safety culture is critical both to their regulatory compliance and to the well-being of their workforce," Sweeney said. "That means frequently assessing and adjusting safety protocols, investing in safety equipment, and dedicating time and effort to employee training."
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jesp62
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety