Resources for Quick Worker Training
Allissa Conley
Produce Safety Technician
Worker training doesn't always have to take a long time. These are 4 ways to train workers when you’re in a time crunch.
1. Worker Training Texting Service
Created by MSU Extension and Produce Safety Technicians, farm workers and supervisors can sign up to receive a text once a week that features a short message, graphic, video clip, or other resource related to produce safety. In addition, farm supervisors can opt in to receive a quarterly report on who was trained, the topics covered, and the dates the texts were sent to comply with the FSMA record keeping requirement.
Sign up to receive texts in English by texting Training to 888-531-2157, or in Spanish by texting Capacitar to (888) 531-2157.
2. Flip Books for Tailgate Training
Available for purchase and created by Penn State Extension, the flip chart provides food safety tips in English and Spanish to help fresh produce producers train their employees. The flip book covers keeping things clean and healthy, hand washing, and preventing accidental contamination. There is also an Amish version of this flip book, and all are available for purchase here:
3. The Daily Do's
The Daily Do is a free training booklet created by Phil Tocco at MSU Extension. Each page features a short prompt on what to “do” on the farm to practice produce safety. The Daily Do’s can be a quick reminder at a morning meeting or serve as a training record if the date and crew members’ names are documented on the page. Growers can get a free copy of The Daily “Do” from their local produce safety technician. Not sure who your technician is? Find them here:
4. More Than Words Training Materials
The Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell has created a series of illustrations that have accompanying teaching guides for supervisors to teach workers about the Produce Safety Rule and how to identify and reduce risks on the farm. Some of the illustrations include avoiding harvest of contaminated fruit, harvest bin inspections, cleaning and sanitizing tools, and more. These illustrations are a great way to get workers more engaged in training and help with any language barriers that may be present on the farm. The illustrations and guides are available for download here:
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