Drivers are the face of JSOK Trucking. It takes a team to keep them safe on the road.
JSOK Trucking not only earned its Certificate of Recognition (COR) Achievement of Excellence Award (small employer) in 2023—they scored 100% on their COR certification audit. It was their first audit.
An Interesting History
JSOK’s unusual name stands for Jaeger, Smith, Okanagan, reflecting the names of the co-founders, Karl Jaeger and Ken Smith, and the company’s North Okanagan home base in Armstrong. JSOK specializes in one commodity—malt barley—and primarily services its sister company, Gambrinus Malting, under parent company Rahr Malting (Rahr BSG as of February 2024). JSOK Trucking hauls malt across western North America and back-hauls clay from California to BC. It operates with five trucks (pneumatic and Super B), five trailers, and four full-time drivers with part-time drivers brought in as needed. The company is expanding, with the recent purchase of a new Super B and plans for more.
Ken Smith was an IT consultant before joining Gambrinus Malting in 2013, the only industrial malting house in BC. His experience includes finance, governance, strategic planning, and educational development. He spent most of his career updating operations and helping management adapt to a rapidly changing workforce. When Gambrinus’ carrier discontinued its service in 2015, Mr. Smith and Mr. Jaeger started a trucking company to serve Gambrinus’ needs. In 2016, Rahr bought JSOK, with Mr. Smith becoming Director of Operations.
A Robust Safety Culture
As a new company, JSOK Trucking inherited a strong focus on safety from Gambrinus and Rahr. When Leanne Gustavson, a truck driver with 20 years experience, came on board as the Operations Manager in 2022, she saw that JSOK Trucking should formalize its own safety program independent of the other companies. She contacted Gambrinus’ safety manager, who suggested she contact SafetyDriven for the support she would need to develop a robust new safety culture. In 2023, JSOK Trucking partnered with SafetyDriven’s Safety Advisory Services to enhance their existing safety protocols and develop and implement a comprehensive safety program.
Ms. Gustavson credits SafetyDriven with supporting JSOK Trucking at every turn as they developed their new program. The SafetyDriven team was “amazing to work with,” she says, providing resources and advice, always available to answer questions, even outside their regular meetings. She knew it would be lots of work and was unsure what to expect at first, but she knew, however they got through all the modules, she wanted input from the drivers and everyone else.
Determining what their safety culture should look like was a team effort. Ms. Gustavson found that gathering input from everyone, ensuring all were being heard, and asking pertinent questions helped to create better ways to do things. As she notes, “you can’t overlook company culture.” A safety program works best when it reflects everyone’s interests. The safety program did not establish big changes, but it did provide one direction for all. There was no push-back; everyone realized the benefits.
The safety program helps keep everyone connected. Safety meetings are held at least monthly and give everyone the opportunity to express concerns. Operations staff are in touch with drivers every day, making sure they’re okay and trouble-shooting as required. Management ensures drivers have everything they need to operate safely, such as fall restraint harnesses, high vis vests, and work gloves that fit. They also offer financial assistance for the purchase of personal safety equipment.
Online training helps keep drivers up-to-date while they are on the road. Drivers who achieve safety excellence, such as no complaints or incidents, receive an annual bonus. Drivers are encouraged to stay healthy on the road by packing their own nutritious food, installing microwaves in their trucks, stopping to get out of their trucks to take a break or a walk, and to get adequate rest.
Mental health awareness is an integral part of the JSOK Trucking health and safety practice. They provide courses to manage stress and fatigue and how to have better quality food and sleep. Staff can access several services, including counselling, massage, chiropractic treatment, and physiotherapy, anonymously through the employees’ assistance program.
To applaud good performance and in a nod to their primary client, JSOK Trucking uses RahrBSG’s “Cheers to You” program. It comprises cards to complete to acknowledge colleagues’ outstanding performance, with the cards posted in a public area.
A Perfect Audit
Ms. Gustavson led the JSOK Trucking team through their COR certification audit with hard work, transport experience, commitment, and personal strength. During the audit period, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The team rallied around her, offering lots of support, as she refused time off and forged ahead. It speaks not only to her commitment but to the camaraderie and mutual respect of the team as they worked together to attain a perfect score.