WHAT HAPPENED: The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council is now accepting applications for the Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award, which recognizes poultry and egg industry organizations advancing workplace safety and health through innovative practices, programs or technologies. The award is open to members of NCC, the National Turkey Federation (NTF) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), and honors companies that have demonstrated significant operational advancement through a safety or health innovation.
THE DETAILS: Applications are open across several industry categories — Poultry Processing (NAICS 311615), Poultry & Egg Production (NAICS 1123), Animal Feed Manufacturing (NAICS 311119), Animal Support Services (NAICS 115210), and Rendering (NAICS 311613) — with awards issued for innovations in both processes and equipment. A panel of judges will select winners and honorable mentions in each category. To qualify, innovations must be novel solutions proven to reduce occupational injuries or illnesses, or improve safety awareness on or off the job, with demonstrated results over at least six months and the ability to be leveraged industry-wide.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: ”Innovation plays an important role in how we continue to improve workplace safety & health across the poultry and egg industry. This award recognizes companies who are willing to think differently, challenge the status quo, and find new and effective ways to protect our Team Members. At the end of the day, innovation in safety & health is about putting people first and continuing to build a culture where working safely is simply how we work,” said Rick Hellinga, senior director of Safety, Health and Loss Prevention at Simmons Foods and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council.
WHY IT MATTERS: The award is named for Frank Cruice, formerly of Perdue Farms, who served on the Joint Poultry Safety & Health Council for more than 20 years, including as Council Chair from 2019 to 2021, before retiring. The award highlights the industry’s ongoing, collaborative investment in workplace safety innovation, spanning processing, production, feed manufacturing, support services and rendering.
WHAT’S NEXT: The application deadline is Oct. 9. Award winners and honorable mention recipients will be announced during a ceremony at the International Production & Processing Expo on Jan. 26, 2027, in Atlanta, Ga. Award program rules, regulations and application forms are available by clicking here.
