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Paul Hamric, the service manager at the EquipmentShareTM branch in Tallahassee, Florida, gives the same speech to every new service technician he hires.
“I’ve been in this industry since 1990. I’ve never had a recordable incident, and I want to go out that way,” Hamric said. “We’re going to do what we need to do to make me go out perfect, and we’re going to learn what you need to do to be perfect.”
So far, so good. The Tallahassee branch, which opened in August 2024, has not had a recordable incident or at-fault accident.
A good safety culture requires more than one good speech, of course. It takes daily focus. To make sure that focus doesn’t waver, the branch designated Jeremy Bayiha as its safety champion.
Bayiha was new to the world of heavy equipment when he joined EquipmentShare as a shop technician in July 2024. Hamric thought Bayiha’s enthusiasm and eagerness to learn made him an ideal choice as safety champion, and he’s been proven right. Bayiha regularly asks questions of Hamric and Regional Safety Manager Marilyn Adkins to get ideas about what points to emphasize.
“My job is to consider safety in our branch operations. When I first got here, I hadn’t been in this industry, so I had to learn from zero what all the policies were and what safety meant in the construction industry,” Bayiha said. “After Marilyn came and graded our branch, I asked her, ‘What are things to look for that people don’t usually look at but really matter?’ One of her suggestions was to get catch pans for the oil to put under the barrels, so we did that.
“I also look through the safety SOPs to align our branch with what’s provided in those. Whatever information I gather, I bring it back to the team in our safety meetings on Mondays to incorporate that into our daily operations.”
A consistent point of emphasis is that employees should do a last-minute risk assessment — LMRA, for short — before performing any task.
“When you have to stop and think about what your next move is, it gives you that moment of pause to realize that maybe my next move isn’t a good move,” said Mark Hall, the rental coordinator in Tallahassee. “Having your peers looking out for one another goes a long way. Nobody here is looking to throw one another under the bus, nobody is looking to do disciplinary action. All we’re looking to do is make sure everybody is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking. Are you putting on your seat belt, tying off, wearing your harness correctly? When you’re driving, you’re not texting and driving, your eyes are on the road — all those little things matter.”
Those little things add up to a safety culture that stands out.
“What sets the Tallahassee branch apart is its proactive approach to safety, led by Jeremy Bayiha,” Adkins said. “His daily touch points and hands-on attention to the details ensure that nothing slips through the cracks. Just as importantly, the entire team takes collective ownership of their safety and the safety of their co-workers. They communicate openly, work collaboratively and maintain a high standard of safety and professionalism. Leadership has fostered a culture grounded in accountability, communication and genuine care for one another.”
At EquipmentShare, the safety and health of each employee is the top priority, taking precedence over operating productivity when necessary. But the reality is, safety and productivity go hand-in-hand. EquipmentShare’s proven record of safety yields many benefits:
- Fewer lawsuits and workman’s compensation claims.
- Lower insurance premiums.
- Reduced downtime and repair costs for damaged equipment.
- Enhanced reputation and more customer confidence.
- Improved ability to attract and retain outstanding employees.
If you would like to join a company that prioritizes the safety of its employees, check out EquipmentShare’s job openings.
