WASHINGTON, March 5, 2021—Today, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is accepting applications for the Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards. Now in its 18th year, the awards honor facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety performance. Among numerous award criteria, IDFA refers to both leading and lagging indicators recommended by health and safety experts as essential factors within a worker safety program.
Examples of leading indicators include:
- Number of inspections conducted
- Number of safety and health hazards identified
- Decreased time for hazard abatement
- Increased employing training
- Safety suggestions implemented
- Job hazard analyses completed
“The Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards spotlights dairy businesses that have gone above and beyond in proactive workplace safety programs to prevent illness and injuries,” said Danielle Quist, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and counsel. “We look forward to recognizing the innovative practices that dairy companies have put in place or progressed over the past year.”
Processing and Trucking Operations
Dairy processing and trucking operations will be judged on occupational injury and illness performance rates, which are recorded in each operation’s “Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses” report (Occupational Safety and Health Administration Form 300A). Companies are required to post their OSHA 300A forms from February 1 through April 30 following the year covered by the form. Applicants will also provide a written essay explaining the components of their safety and health programs.
To be eligible for an award, a processing facility or transportation operation must implement an effective and innovative health and safety program and have illness and injury rates below industry averages reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Workplace safety is not just a priority for dairy companies, it is at the heart of each business and essential to productivity. These safety awards are just one way for companies to demonstrate their successes and unique approaches to maintaining a culture of safety throughout the company. Safety achievements are huge indicator of success and through this awards process, we hope to encourage all dairy facilities to continuously approach safety as a priority and engage their employees in the process,” Quist said.
Award winners will be notified this summer and featured in Dairy Foods magazine, which co-sponsors the safety awards program.
Companies must be an IDFA member to enter. The 2021 award program rules, regulations and application form are available here on idfa.org, and there is no fee to enter. All entries must be submitted to IDFA no later than April 30, 2021.
For more information, contact Quist at dquist@idfa.org or (202) 220-3508.
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The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3 million jobs that generate $159 billion in wages and $620 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent 90 percent of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.
Staff Contact
Danielle Quist
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Counsel