When it comes to standard operating procedures (SOPs), farm businesses should never improvise. Guesswork takes time and creates risk, both of which rob productivity and decrease safety onsite. Workers perform at their best when there’s no question as to how their job should be done. That’s why using today’s online mobile tools to house your SOPs is a smart and easy way to ensure both safe and smooth work processes.
According to Jacquie Hodges of the Agri Business Brokerage Corp, a Nationwide On Your Side® Master Farm Certified agency, “Creating a uniform set of operations that are easily accessible by every employee removes costly risks. For example, making sure correct hygiene rules are followed minimizes illness for both livestock and employees, but sometimes employees are unaware of the proper techniques.”
Housing your farm’s SOP’s on a mobile online platform provides many benefits including:
- Easy access of farm safety procedures to all farm workers and family members
- Access to knowledge farm workers may need if they find themselves having to step in and perform a task they don’t normally do
- Flexibility for quick modifications to work processes. “When the pandemic hit, fast changes had to be made,” said Hodges. “Those who made their SOPs available online were better able to quickly adjust, adapt and keep on moving.”
If transferring your SOPs to a mobile tool sounds like a job in itself, rest assured it’s not. Inputting information is a smooth process and is well worth it in the long run. There’s a library of online templates and cloud-based software you can choose from that make it easy to create a detailed checklist for workflow. Many also allow the inclusion of visuals for quick reference. Remember, you could end up saving yourself a lot more than paperwork in the end. For more information and assistance in creating your online SOP contact your local Nationwide agribusiness insurance agent.
For more information or to find a Nationwide Farm Certified agent near you, visit www.aginsightcenter.com
