Communications
Every year, our agency employs dedicated seasonal workers responsible for trapping invasive pests. These trappers diligently scour every corner of the state to identify invasive species that pose a threat to Washington's agricultural health. Their work regularly takes them to remote, seldom-traveled, and often-narrow roads.
Challenges faced by field staff
Trappers face numerous challenges while performing their duties. Driving across their assigned regions, they make regular stops to set, inspect, and eventually remove traps. The nature of their work requires them to repeatedly park and leave their vehicles to perform tasks before moving on to the next site. Unfortunately, the roads they traverse are not only narrow but sometimes rough and overgrown. Such difficult conditions require frequent tricky turnarounds and maneuvers, resulting in between three and six slow-speed collisions reported by WSDA's seasonal employees each year. In fact, 28% of all auto accidents involving WSDA employees occur while backing into or driving over stationary objects such as mailboxes and utility poles.
Addressing safety concerns
 |
| Instructors offered WSDA employees hands-on training. |
Driver safety training
Continuing the endeavor to prioritize safety, on June 6, 2023, all 30 seasonal employees responsible for trapping the invasive spongy moth participated in a comprehensive two-hour driver safety training session held at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. The training was conducted by Olympic Driving School, with three experienced instructors, including the company's owner and lead instructor, Scott Jansen. The program included group discussions on safe driving practices and hands-on instruction to equip WSDA employees with effective strategies for staying safe on the job. While this training session catered to the seasonal employees working in western Washington in 2023, subsequent training sessions will be held in 2024 and will include seasonal employees tasked with trapping apple maggots in eastern Washington as well.
The vision for safety
By offering hands-on driver's safety training to seasonal employees, Jason Gambill and WSDA's safety team aim to eliminate slow-speed collisions entirely. Gambill emphasizes the significance of this training, saying, "With these newly acquired skills, our seasonal employees will have the ability to protect themselves, the public, and private property across the state."
In summary: Seasonal employees who will be working as spongy moth trappers this year participated in a driving safety training on June 6, 2023. This training is part of an effort by WSDA to decrease the number of on-the-job motor vehicle accidents. In 2024, the training will be provided for spongy moth trappers who work in western Washington as well as apple maggot trappers who work in eastern Washington.
