Safety Spotlight: How Daily Communication Powers Safer Operations at Delta Western Haines
At Delta Western, safety is more than a policy. It’s our #1 priority. From our drivers on the road to our administrative staff in the office, every employee plays a role in creating and maintaining a safe work environment. We take pride in our trained and qualified team members, our commitment to reducing risks, and our culture of accountability.
Today we’re highlighting just one example of how Delta Western teams put safety into action every day. Across our locations, safety is practiced in many ways, and for the team in Haines, that means starting each morning with a dedicated conversation. Terminal Manager Jake Eckhardt has built a daily routine that shows how small, consistent efforts like a 20-minute safety meeting can lead to meaningful results.
One Team’s Approach: Communication First
At Delta Western Haines, every weekday starts the same way: a 7:30 AM safety and operations meeting. It’s a simple routine, but in a region where the conditions can change by the hour, it’s become an essential part of how the team stays prepared.
The meeting includes all staff members present in the office that day, from dispatch to admin, billing, and operations. Jake prepares a written agenda in advance, with time dedicated to:
Current safety considerations (e.g., icy roads, local closures)
Updates on customer properties or delivery routes
Team shout-outs and learning opportunities
Knowledge sharing across drivers
These conversations help the team align before the workday begins, combining operational clarity with proactive safety awareness. This daily routine strengthens the team's preparedness and reinforces their shared commitment to safety excellence.
“When you’ve got different teams working alongside each other, it’s important to have that moment where everyone’s aligned,” Jake explained. “It’s a small thing that makes a big difference.”
Safety in the Real World
Like everyone working in Alaska, our drivers navigate the terrain and conditions that come with the territory - from seasonal road challenges to the variety of property setups across our service area.
To navigate these realities, the Haines team actively monitors community intelligence, such as road updates posted on local social media groups and information from area construction companies.
In one recent example, a construction company posted about a road closure late on a weekend evening. One team member saw the post, flagged it, and sent it to Jake. That information was added to the Monday morning meeting agenda, and because of it, the team was able to adjust their route, complete two deliveries before the road closed, and avoid a significant delay.
Looking back on the situation, Jake shared, “That’s what I really appreciate about our team. Everyone takes responsibility for safety, not just the folks out in the field. We’ve built a culture where people speak up and look out for each other.”
Where Safety Starts (and Sticks)
At Delta Western, we’re proud of teams like Jake’s who make safety personal and equally proud of the many teams across our company who bring safety into their daily routines in different ways. Whether it’s through morning meetings, equipment checks, or spill prevention protocols, our culture of safety is built on consistent, thoughtful action.
From small habits to big responsibilities, safety begins with each of us. And in Haines, it begins at 7:30 sharp.