Safety for breakfast? Some 20 to 40 people have regularly enjoyed the menu items offered by the Center for Agricultural Business (CAB) at its Agricultural Safety Breakfast meetings held monthly for the past three years.

According to Kimberly Naffziger, program development specialist for CAB, the meetings were started to help industry professionals address safety problems by hearing what others in the industry are doing.

"This is a program they find extremely beneficial," Naffziger said. "Our goal was to provide a forum for safety professionals to meet and exchange ideas, information and concerns.

The program has provided just that opportunity. Over coffee, juice and muffins, participants hear a one-hour presentation by a safety specialist and have a second hour of discussion.

"We try to ensure the information provided will be timely and practical. And the discussion enables participants to find out what other people in the industry are doing in regards to safety," Naffziger said. Recent discussion topics were "Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse," and "Conducting an Incident Investigation."

While the focus is on issues related to safety in agriculture, many of the topics presented apply to other industries as well, Naffziger said.

The meetings run from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month, except for a summer recess. They are free of charge and open to the public. The next series of meetings is slated to begin September 9.

Topics under consideration for upcoming meetings include a CAL/OSHA update, holding effective safety "tailgate" meetings, and preventing back injuries in the workplace.

Naffziger said more than 20 sponsoring businesses and organizations provide financial support for the meetings. Sponsors names are listed on publicity fliers and signs at the meetings.

For information on the upcoming season of safety breakfast meetings or to discuss becoming a sponsor, call (559) 278-4405.

{ page top }

---

{ CATI , CAB , CAB - Current Projects , CAB - "Update" Newsletter , "Update" Newsletter - 1998}

 
Copyright © 2000. All rights reserved.
CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE - CATI
College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
California State University, Fresno