Grower organizations seeking to be SAFE certified undergo an extensive certification audit that examines policies and practices regarding general employment, health and safety, housing, and implementation of the requirements set out in the Farm Labor Employer Code of Conduct.

The audit also identifies areas of continuous improvement and best practices.

Certification applies to all processes and operations within a grower’s business entity: farming, processing, packing and repacking.

The six-stage audit encompasses:

• Initial meeting: The audit team meets with management to review the audit scope and objectives, explain the methods and procedures to be used, and confirm the audit plan.
• Documentation review: The team selects a random sample of employees in order to review payroll, personnel and time records as well as other records to verify employment practices. Other documents also are reviewed to assess compliance with provisions of the Code of Conduct.
• Site tours: The audit team observes operations and working environment of sites chosen for the review, including packing houses and housing facilities.
• Worker interviews: Information from worker interviews is used to cross-check data gathered in the document review and visual observation.
• Management interviews: Conducted with farm managers, packing house managers, health and safety manager, human resources manager and finance/payroll manager to understand practices and management’s understanding and application of the SAFE requirements.
• Summary meeting: Summarizes the audit outcomes and procedures performed. Any non-conforming activities identified are presented, along with best practices. Next steps are discussed.