28th December, 2007: Each Year A Checkup!
Each year we go through our manufacturing policies, procedures and training guidelines to make sure they are the latest and greatest. Usually there are some simple things that need to be changed based upon improvements like adding conveyors or adjusting how rework is done. This year we are focused on improving how we track and maintain all the different training we do for our employees. Some training is required like; Lock out Tag out (for electrical safety) Forklift and Ladder Safety, Good Manufacturing Procedures (which goes into more detail on how we operate and maintain our facilities), but others are focused on specific jobs to make sure everyone is doing them in the same manner. Each year the Operators, Mechanics, and QA go through refresher training and then are tested on their abilities just to make sure we are following the right procedures. The system we are introducing allows us to view each employee to determine when their last training occurred, what training is needed for that position, and also shows the training information that is being followed. It may seem like a lot of work that is not related to making a tea bag but it is one more way we make sure we are always making the best possible product.
Dean
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am |
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I’m glad you have a training program in every area–it shows a committment to quality. (I’ll trust that it’s implemented in such a way that employees gain something from it, not just check it off the list of unpleasant things to endure!)
This ties in with your December 14th entry about running short of string. I was fascinated by that story! Thank you for sharing it, and for making the best Darjeeling tea I’ve tasted–and I’ve tasted a lot of it!
Comment by Tina Lewis Rowe — December 29, 2007 @ 10:41 am
Tina,
You are correct in your assumption. It’s very important to us here at Bigelow to make sure that all of our training programs help each and every employee to continually contribute to the making of our teas. In fact, our training programs also include allowing our employees to actively review and improve the procedures and training manuals themselves as well as help train their co-workers.
Thanks for your comment,
Dean
Comment by Valorie — January 2, 2008 @ 12:32 pm