The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council recognized 96 chicken and turkey facilities for outstanding safety performance through the implementation of innovative and effective employee safety and health programs. The annual safety awards were presented during the 2014 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry held in Destin, Fla.

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 directly employ more than 350,000 workers.

"The 2014 awards program resulted in a record number of award recipients despite more stringent requirements to qualify, further highlighting the industry's commitment to workplace safety. Congratulations to these facilities and their management teams. The awards recognize their excellent safety performance achievement as a result of effective and innovative programs. The notable and constant decrease in illness and injury rates among poultry's workforce over the last two decades is a direct consequence of their dedication to worker safety," said the Council.

The total recordable poultry processing illness and injury rate for 2012 was 4.9 cases per 100 full-time workers (per year), down from 5.8 in 2011. This represents a 78 percent decrease from 1994 (the oldest data available on the BLS website), when the recorded rate was 22.7, demonstrating the enormous progress poultry processors have made in improving safety for our workforce. 

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-nine facilities received the highest level of recognition, "Award of Distinction." The other categories included "Award of Honor" and "Award of Merit."

Award of Distinction

Butterball LLC
Ozark, AR – Processing
Huntsville, AR – Processing
Carthage, MO – Processing

Cargill Turkey Production LLC
Springdale, AR – Feed Mill
Temple, TX – Feed Mill

Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats
Waco, TX – Processing

GNP Company
Arcadia, WI – Feed Mill

House of Raeford
Arcadia, LA – Processing

Keystone Foods LLC
Gadsden, AL – Hatchery
Camilla, GA – Hatchery
Camilla, GA – Processing
Albany, KY – Processing
Franklin, KY – Processing

Peco Foods Inc.
Sebastopol, MS - Processing

Perdue Farms Inc.
Georgetown, DE – Processing
Perry, GA – Cook Plant
Perry, GA – Fresh Processing
Cromwell, KY – Processing
Salisbury, MD – Processing
Concord, NC – Further Processing
Rockingham, NC – Processing
Dillon, SC – Hatchery
Dillon, SC – Processing
Monterey, TN – Further Processing

Wayne Farms LLC
Decatur, AL – Hatchery
Enterprise, AL – Processing
Pendergrass, GA – Processing
Elkin, NC – Feed Mill
Elkin, NC – Hatchery

Award of Honor

Butterball LLC
Jonesboro, AR – Processing

Cargill Turkey Production LLC
Gentry, AR – Hatchery

Case Farms
Goldsboro, NC – Further Processing
Goldsboro, NC – Hatchery

Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
Siloam Springs, AR – Feed Mill

Jennie-O Turkey Store
Montevideo, MN – Processing
Willmar, MN – Benson Ave Plant
Willmar, MN – Willmar Ave Plant
Barron, WI – Processing

Keystone Foods LLC
Eufaula, AL – Processing
Reidsville, NC – Processing

Mountaire Farms
Frankford, DE – Feed Mill
Millsboro, DE – Feed Mill
Selbyville, DE – Processing
Lumber Bridge, NC – Processing
Statesville, NC – Breeder Operation

Peco Farms Inc. 
Batesville, AR – Hatchery
Batesville, AR – Processing

Perdue Farms Inc.
Samson, AL – Hatchery
Milford, DE – Processing
Washington, IN – Turkey Processing
Beaver Dam, KY – Hatchery
Hurlock, MD – Hatchery
Hurlock, MD – Feed Mill
Lewiston, NC – Processing
Murfreesboro, NC – Hatchery
Accomac, VA – Processing
Bridgewater, VA – Further Processing

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
Commerce, GA – Hatchery
Waco, GA – Feed Mill
Moorefield, WV – Prepared Foods

Sanderson Farms, Inc. – Foods Division
Flowood, MS – Processing

Simmons Foods
Decatur, AR – Processing
Van Buren, AR – Processing
Southwest City, MO – Processing

Tyson River Valley Animal Foods
Robards, KY – Rendering

Tyson Foods  
Hope, AR – Processing
Monroe, NC – Processing

Wayne Farms LLC
Danville, AR – Hatchery
Decatur, AL – East Further Processing
Decatur, AL – West Further Processing
Decatur, AL – Fresh Plant
Dobson, NC – Processing
Dothan, AL – Processing
Troy, AL – Hatchery
Union Springs, AL – Processing

Award of Merit

Cargill Turkey & Cooked Meats
Springdale, AR – Processing

Case Farms Inc.        
Massillon, OH – Feed Mill

Cobb-Vantress
Timpson, TX – Hatchery

Gerber Poultry
Kidron, OH – Processing

GNP Company
Cold Springs, MN – Processing

House of Raeford Farms
West Columbia, SC – Processing

Jennie-O Turkey Store
Dawson, MN – Feed Mill
Perham, MN – Feed Mill

Peco Farms Inc.
Gordo, AL – Hatchery
Bay Springs, MS – Processing
Canton, MS – Processing

Perdue Farms
Thorntown, IN – Hatchery
Washington, IN – Feed Mill

Pilgrim's Corp.
Athens, GA – Feed Mill
Blaine, GA – Hatchery
Marshville, NC – Processing
Natchitoches, LA – Processing
Moorefield, WV – Fresh Foods

Tyson Foods
Hope, AR – Hatchery
Dexter, MO – Processing
Seguin, TX – Further Processing

Source: NCC