Greenbrier Lawn and Tree Expert Co.

Cultivating a culture of safety

A top priority

For more than 40 years, Greenbrier Lawn and Tree Expert Co. has been a leading provider of quality landscaping solutions in the San Diego area. Over time, company President Javier Vargas has increased efforts to grow their commitment to safety, integrity, reliability, and innovation.

“We take safety seriously and follow strict protocols to ensure the well-being of our employees and our customers,” said Vargas.

And now, Sentry Insurance and its regional agency Rancho Mesa are part of that process.

Mitigating risks

Vargas says some of the primary safety risks landscapers face include handling equipment, heavy lifting, and slips and falls.

“We work with various types of equipment, from vehicles to mowers and tree equipment,” he said. “My goal has been to update equipment because the new machines have a lot more safety features built in.” Vargas also brings in the manufacturers to provide training for safe and proper operations.

To address other risks, he holds regular safety meetings using videos, literature, and other resources to address topics such as proper lifting techniques and being aware of surroundings to avoid falls. And since Greenbrier has a bilingual workforce, Vargas ensures these resources are available in both English and Spanish.

Sentry provides some of these resources and our safety consultants visit Greenbriar often to assess risks and offer suggestions for a safer workplace.

The results

“We appreciate all the input that Sentry and Rancho Mesa give us, and I think that's helped us become a better company,” Vargas said. “Through safety, you just become better in other things. You're more efficient because you don't have the downtime.”

“And the things that Sentry helps us look at, we may overlook,” he said. “That’s why you need to have a great relationship with whoever your insurance company is. It’s not just a name. It's a relationship.”