Definition
The implementation of safety programs and training to provide a safe workplace and help to prevent workplace accidents and injuries associated with
production, processing, and distribution of beef and the relative prosperity of workers employed in those activities.
Cow & Calf
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the cow-calf sector?
Protection and improvement of employee safety and well-being is of paramount importance to the operation’s viability. These procedures will not only protect the employee, but, if done properly, will improve the health and welfare of the animal as well.
Metric
Are all individuals who are involved in the operation trained in stockmanship and safety, and implementing these practices on the farm or ranch?
Why did we choose this metric?
Training plays a key role in making sure everyone in an operation is following the same procedures for employee safety and well-being, as well as animal health and well-being. If employees are not trained and procedures for stockmanship and safety are not properly implemented, risk of injury or death to an operation’s employees is elevated. Increasing the number of farms and ranches in the U.S. who train their employees regarding stockmanship and safety can help prevent workplace accidents and injuries associated with production and transport of cattle. It can also improve animal health and well-being on that operation.
Desired Outcome
The following improved employee safety and well-being sustainability outcomes can be realized if an operation has trained employees who are implementing proper stockmanship and safety procedures:
- Reduced injury to employees and animals
- Reduced employee turnover
- Reduced stress in cattle
Why do these outcomes matter?
Adopting principles of good stockmanship and safety procedures on the ranch improves not only the safety and well-being of farm/ranch workers by reducing injury and providing confidence and pride in their work, but trained employees using these practices reduce cattle stress and injuries, thereby improving the health and well-being of the animal.
Success Criteria
Proportion of U.S. cow-calf producers who are involved in the operation trained and practices implemented with regard to stockmanship and safety on the farm or ranch.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Increasing the number of farms and ranches in the U.S. who train their employees in regards to stockmanship and safety can help prevent workplace accidents and injuries associated with production and transport of cattle.
Auction Market
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the livestock auction market sector?
Making an employee safety program a priority at an auction market has the dual benefit of protecting the safety and improving the well-being of those who are employed at the auction market as well as reducing stress and potential injury to cattle, thereby improving animal health and well-being.
Metrics
Is an Employee Safety Program in place?
Why did we choose this metric?
Providing safety training to employees in their respective area(s) of work responsibilities can have a significant positive effect on the desired outcomes associated with employee safety and well-being.
Desired Outcomes
Livestock auction markets that have and actively support employee safety programs can enhance the following employee safety and well-being sustainability outcomes:
- Increase employee safety
- Increase employee retention
- Increase employee productivity
- Reduce stress in cattle
Why do these outcomes matter?
Employee well-being can broadly be defined as providing the knowledge, skills and environment to safely perform their job responsibilities as well as the employees’ perception of their work environment. Implementing practices to support employees in their job as well as in their family life can pay off in terms of employee engagement, reducing turnover and improving productivity.
Success Criteria
Increasing the number of auction markets developing and implementing an employee safety program in the U.S.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Providing safety training to employees in their respective area(s) of work responsibilities can have a significant positive effect on outcome-based metrics associated with employee safety and well-being.
FEEDYARD
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the feedyard sector?
Making an employee safety program a priority at a feedyard has the dual benefit of protecting the safety and improving the well-being of those who are employed at the feedyard as well as reducing stress and potential injury to cattle, thereby improving animal health and well-being.
Metric
Are feedyard employees trained and is an employee safety program implemented at the feedyard?
Why did we choose this metric?
Making an employee safety program a priority at a feedyard has the dual benefit of protecting the safety and improving the well-being of those who are employed at the feedyard as well as reducing stress and potential injury to cattle, thereby also improving animal health and well-being.
Desired Outcome
Feedyards that have, and actively support, employee safety programs (including employee training) have positive effects related to employee safety and well-being sustainability outcomes. The positive effects include:
- Improved employee safety performance
- Increased employee retention
- Increased employee productivity
- Reduced stress in cattle
Why do these outcomes matter?
Employee well-being can broadly be defined as providing the knowledge, skills and environment to safely perform their job responsibilities as well as the employees’ perception of their work environment. Implementing practices to support employees in their job as well as in their family life can pay off in terms of employee engagement, reducing turnover and improving productivity.
Success Criteria
Increasing the number of feedyards developing and implementing an employee safety program in the U.S.
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Providing safety training to employees in their respective area(s) of work responsibilities can have a significant positive effect on outcome-based metrics associated with employee safety and well-being.
Packer & Processor
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the packer and processor sector?
The continued improvement of employee safety and well-being is a critical component to a sustainable packer and processor operation. While the industry has worked diligently to provide safe working conditions and reduce injury rates, there is still opportunity for improvement.
Metric
Level 1
Does the company have a documented employee safety and well-being program that engages front-line employees and leadership?
Level 2
Does the company track employee injury rates (TRIR)?
Level 3
Does the company track trends on TRIR and reference rates against the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry standard rate to set goals for the upcoming year? Does the company participate in partnerships, initiatives, or programs to further advance employee safety and well-being?
Why did we choose these metrics?
While the industry has worked diligently to provide safe working conditions and reduce injury rates, there is always opportunity for improvement. Providing a safe workplace has rewards for both the employee and the employer and can be seen in improved morale, increased productivity, reduced costs, and less absenteeism. The well-being of all people within the beef value chain is important, within the packer processor sector it is especially critical due to the nature of the work and the hazards present.
Desired Outcomes
When facilities and companies have plans that address the employee safety and well-being metrics, results of the programs improve sustainability outcomes in this area. Improved outcomes include:
- Reduction in employee injuries in plants and operations
- Improvement in safety planning and culture
- Increased understanding of issues surrounding employee safety and the associated risks for meat packers and processors
- Improvement in collaboration across the value chain on employee safety issues
Why do these outcomes matter?
Packers and processors have a responsibility to their employees to foster a safe and healthy work environment.
success Criteria
- Continuous increase in number of facilities implementing and utilizing formal safety programs
- Reduction in TRIR for participating companies
- Increase in number of companies and facilities tracking incident rates, using historical injury data to evaluate safety program optimization strategies, setting goals to continue to improve safety results, and increase sharing of best practices regarding injury reduction programs
The well-being of all people within the beef supply chain is important, within the packer processor sector it is especially critical due to the nature of the work and the hazards present.
Retail & Food Service
Indicator
Why is this indicator important to the retail and food service sector?
Employee safety, training, and well-being are essential to accomplish day-to-day business operations. The metrics for this indicator are designed to build a work culture that includes robust safety and training programs, and focus where possible on the safe handling of beef.
Metric
Level 1
Does the company have clearly documented policies and procedures around employee workplace safety and training programs? Does the company require training on food safety and handling techniques for beef?
Level 2
Does the company have a supplier code of conduct (or equivalent) that includes employee health and safety policies and have a system for tracking compliance of its beef suppliers?
Level 3
Does the company track the number of direct company employees (not value chain) completing safety and training programs?
Why did we choose these metrics?
Sustainable organizations strive to balance the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to achieve long-term success and viability. This means that organizations cannot be sustainable for long-term success without protecting the safety, health, and well-being of their most vital resource: employees.
Desired Outcome
When sector companies adopt these metrics, the following improvements may occur in employee safety and well-being sustainability outcomes:
- Promotion of a safe work environment
- Improved food safety training and handling of beef
- Improved worker injury rates as compared to industry standards
- Improved tracking of employee safety, training and engagement (e.g., participation in programs, engagement of resources, outcome measures)
Why do these outcomes matter?
A safe work environment is essential to accomplish day-to-day business operations and ensure the well-being of our employees. Oversight of worker injury rates compared to industry standards provides a benchmark for improvement. A work culture that includes robust safety and training programs instills worker safety and well-being as the norm for retail and food service operations.
Success Criteria
- Increased number of companies that have documented policies and procedures for employee safety programs
- Implementation of a supplier code of conduct (or equivalent)
- Implementation of a system for tracking compliance of its beef suppliers
- Increased ability to track the number of employees completing safety and training programs
How does this metric continuously improve beef sustainability?
Sustainable organizations strive to balance the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit to achieve long-term success and viability. This means that organizations cannot be sustainable for long-term success without protecting the safety, health, and welfare of their most vital resource: employees.