Poultry facilities across the country can now submit applications for a national workplace safety recognition program that honors companies with outstanding safety achievements. The joint initiative welcomes submissions from members of three major industry organizations: the National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council, and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Companies operating processing plants, egg facilities, hatcheries, feed mills, animal support services, and rendering operations are all eligible to participate. To earn consideration, businesses must show they have developed creative and successful safety initiatives while keeping workplace injury and illness numbers below industry standards for three straight years.
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the poultry sector achieved an injury rate of 2.4 incidents per 100 full-time employees. This performance surpasses comparable agricultural sectors at 3.2, the broader food manufacturing industry at 3.3, all manufacturing at 2.7, and general industry at 2.6.
The 2024 figure of 2.4 represents a dramatic 90% improvement since 1994, when the rate stood at 22.7 according to the earliest available federal data. This substantial progress demonstrates the sector’s sustained focus on enhancing worker protection.
“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.”
The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council includes representatives from all three sponsoring organizations. Together, these groups represent 95% of America’s poultry production and their member companies create more than 1.4 million jobs nationwide.
Companies interested in applying can find program guidelines and submission materials online. All applications must be received by May 15. Winners will receive their honors during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, scheduled for August 17-19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida.
