TUCKER, GA – The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council recognized 68 chicken and turkey facilities for outstanding safety performance through the implementation of innovative and effective safety and health programs. The annual safety awards were presented during the 2012 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry held in Ponte Vedra, FL.
John Starkey, president of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, commented, "The industry recognizes that our people are our most valuable asset, and worker safety efforts have never been stronger. Poultry companies continue to devote people, time, and other resources to actively identify and correct workplace hazards. These awards acknowledge excellent safety performance achievement through effective and innovative programs."
“I not only commend these plants and their management teams for their tremendous efforts to protect their workers, but for their ongoing dedication to further progress,” added Mike Brown, National Chicken Council president. “The significant and consistent decline in illness and injury rates among our workforce over the past two decades is a direct result of their strong commitment to worker safety.”
"The poultry industry has been diligent in reducing recordable injuries and illnesses for nearly 30 years,” said NTF president Joel Brandenberger. "These awards acknowledge the excellent safety performance achievements the poultry industry has accomplished. We hope by highlighting these facilities we can all learn additional practices and tools to further protect the people that work hard every day in our plants to provide high-quality, safe and nutritious protein for consumers.”
Award consideration was based on injury statistics over three years and an evaluation of written applications by three judges: Gary Pohlmann of Marsh Risk Consulting, Doug Britton, program manager for Agricultural Technology Research at Georgia Tech Research Institute, and George Nassif of Aon Global Risk Consulting. Twenty-five facilities received the highest level of recognition, "Award of Distinction." The other categories included "Award of Honor" and "Award of Merit."
The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council consist of members from U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95 percent of the nation's poultry products and employ over 350,000 workers.
Award of Distinction
Butterball LLC
Ozark, AR – Processing
Carthage, MO – Processing
Huntsville, AR – Processing
Cargill Turkey Production LLC
Butterfield, MO – Feed Mill
Springdale, AR – Feed Mill
Cargill Value Added Meats
Temple, TX – Feed Mill
Waco, TX – Processing
Keystone Foods
Albany, KY – Processing
Franklin, KY – Hatchery
Camilla, GA – Processing
Perdue Farms Inc.
Perry, GA – Cook Plant
Dillon, SC – Processing
Perry, GA – Fresh Processing
Concord, NC – Further Processing
Salisbury, MD – Processing
Rockingham, NC – Processing
Accomac, VA – Processing
Georgetown, DE – Roaster Complex
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
Falkville, AL – Feed Mill
Batesville, AR – Processing
Sara Lee Foods
Storm Lake, IA – Processing
Simmons Foods
Siloam Springs, AR – Further Processing
Wayne Farms LLC
Pendergrass, GA – Processing
Decatur, AL West – Hatchery
Union Springs, AL – Processing
Award of Honor
Butterball LLC.
Mt. Olive, NC – Processing
Cargill Turkey Production LLC
California, MO – Feed Mill
Cargill Value Added Meats
Springdale, AR – Processing
Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
Siloam Springs, AR – Feed Mill
Timpson, TX – Hatchery
Gerber Poultry
Kidron, OH – Processing
Hubbard LLC
Pikeville, TN – Hatchery
Keystone Foods
Gadsden, AL – Processing
Eufaula, AL – Processing
Moroni Feed Company
Moroni, UT – Feed Mill
Perdue Farms Inc.
Cromwell, KY – Hatchery
Forsyth, GA – Hatchery
Bridgewater, VA – Further Processing
Nashville, NC – Feed Mill
Cromwell, KY – Processing
Washington, IN – Turkey Processing
Forsyth, GA – Feed Mill
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
Moorefield, WV – Hatchery
Broadway, VA – Processing
Moorefield, WV – Feed Mill
Harrisonburg, VA – Feed Mill
Mayfield, KY – Processing
Pittsburg, TX – Hatchery #1 & #2
Natchitoches, LA –Processing
Sanderson Farms, Inc.
Laurel, MS – Processing
McComb, MS – Processing
River Valley Animal Foods
Robards, KY
Texarkana, AR
Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative
Hinton, VA – Processing
Wayne Farms LLC
Troy, AL – Hatchery
Laurel, MS – Feed Mill
Danville, AR – Hatchery
Decatur, AL East – Further Processing
Decatur, AL – Fresh Plant
Award of Merit
House of Raeford Farms
Arcadia, LA – Processing
Peco Foods, Inc.
Sebastopol, MS – Processing
Perdue Farms Inc.
Dothan, AL – Processing
Salisbury, MD – Hatchery 2
Murfreesboro, NC – Hatchery
Pilgrim’s Corp
Athens, GA – Feed Mill
Broadway, VA – Hatchery
Moorefield, WV – Prepared Foods
Canton, GA – Processing
Award Presentation Pictures: Pictures of the award presentations will be available Friday afternoon. Please contact us if you would like a picture emailed to you.
About U.S. Poultry and Egg Association
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is an all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on progressively serving member companies through research, education, communication, and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, GA.
About the National Chicken Council
The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies of NCC account for more than 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.
About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) is the national advocate for all segments of the $14 billion turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities that increase demand for its members' products by protecting and enhancing their ability to profitably provide wholesome, high-quality, nutritious products.
Source: National Turkey Federation
