As we wrap up 2023 and look ahead to 2024, there are many initiatives that I am looking forward to for Truly Nolen. However, there is none more important than our safety program we have dubbed #HomeSafe.
Many years ago, my father affirmed that safety was the company’s number one priority and for good reason. Whether you are a start-up or celebrating 85 years in the business, as my company commemorated in 2023, one accident can change everything.
In the 1970s, the green movement launched, drawing attention to environmental impacts and safety for people. Fear of pests has often outweighed the green movement to an extent; however, we saw many pest control companies factor this signal word when it came to their product selection and move to naturally occurring products. While that is certainly still a concern for customers, regulation and product evolution has largely dampened those concerns. The most dangerous aspect of our industry is not what we do at our customer’s home, but the journey to get there — the drive!
The No. 1 threat to driver safety is distracted driving. While lives are at stake, business is also impacted through mounting insurance costs. According to the 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance study by J.D. Power, vehicle insurance reported an average increase of 15.5 percent while some states, like Florida, saw rates increase a staggering 88 percent over the past year.
Our first priority at Truly Nolen will continue to put safety first. In order to be impactful with a safety program, it must permeate the culture. We owe this to our employees, customers, and stakeholders — present and future.
There are three elements all safety programs should consider: communication, education, and accountability to high standards. At Truly Nolen, we are kicking the year off with a two-hour safety course for all partners. Our 2024 Safety Program, #HomeSafe, is all about behaviors. We not only hold bad habits accountable, but also recognize those that are doing things right.
To complement our program, we are partnering with Azuga, a leader in fleet management software that focuses on behaviors that will provide a daily driver score. We will designate and certify safety officers throughout the company to proactively keep safety at the forefront. Furthermore, we will continue to discuss safety on a monthly basis, with rotating topics, accompanied by an assessment.
It is our responsibility that each partner gets home safely, and the priority of safety is ingrained in our culture and felt from our newest employee to our most tenured customer.
Cheers to a safe 2024!
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