What safety means to me: Jacob Young

At Orange Hire, we’re proud of our people and their commitment to safety. In this article, our Newcastle Sales Coordinator, Jacob, explains how safety is an integral part of the culture at Orange Hire.

Why is safety important to you from a personal perspective?

It’s simple, but it’s the most important reason: I want to ensure that both myself and my teammates get home safe to our families each night.

What kind of things does Orange Hire encourage, celebrate and acknowledge to ensure everyone has a focus on safety?

Our team really acknowledges and celebrates no LTIs (lost time injuries). Orange Hire is also extremely open to feedback on safety issues that can be changed or improved on to create a safer workplace for everyone.

Can you think of a time where a safety procedure has prevented a potential injury?

Having a dedicated exclusion zone whilst loading and unloading trucks has definitely reduced the risk of accidents around vehicles.

Do you think the hire industry overall is pretty safe, or does it have a way to go?

I think we are definitely on the right track, but there is always more we can do to ensure the highest standards of safety.

Are there systems in place to keep developing a safety mindset within the team?

Absolutely – we have daily toolbox talks/huddles where any issues no matter how small are brought to the team’s attention. Everyone has the mentality of constantly wanting to do better.

How does Orange Hire’s safety culture compare to previous jobs you have worked in?

It is up there as one of the most safety-conscious organisations I have worked for.

How does Orange Hire support staff safety in other areas, such as mental health?

We have a really comprehensive and accessible employee assistance program, as well as extremely supportive management, from the Branch Managers right through to our CEO. Everyone looks out for each other and we have procedures in place to get support if we need it.

Safety means something different to everyone. Read how Gavin Atkinson shares what safety means to him and why a strong safety culture is such an important part of working at Orange Hire.