WHAT HAPPENED? The Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award Program recently announced it is accepting applications from poultry industry facilities that have demonstrated exceptional safety programs.
WHO CAN APPLY? This award program is open to members of the National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF), and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). Eligible facilities include poultry processing plants, further processing facilities, egg processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills, animal support services and rendering facilities. To qualify, applicants must have implemented innovative and effective safety programs as well as have maintained injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years.
WHY IT MATTERS: The poultry processing industry has demonstrated consistent and remarkable improvement in worker safety training, programs and results. According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the poultry industry reported an injury rate of 2.4 per 100 full-time workers. This marks a 90% reduction from 1994, when the recorded rate was 22.7, the oldest data available from BLS.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “Working safely is part of our industry’s values of taking care of our folks,” said Rick Hellinga, senior director of Safety, Health and Loss Prevention at Simmons Foods and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council. “Our workforce is at the heart of producing nutritious, affordable food, and the industry is continually advancing safety practices, training and technology to reduce workplace hazards. As a result, we have seen meaningful progress in reducing injuries and illnesses over the years.”
NCC’s TAKE: We encourage members to apply for the awards and highlight their tremendous progress in advancing worker safety.
NEXT STEPS: Award program rules, regulations and application forms can be accessed here. The application deadline is May 15. The annual awards will be presented during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, Aug. 17-19, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
