WASHINGTON – The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is accepting applications for this year’s Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards, which celebrate dairy processing facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety performance and management.

IDFA shared that each applicant’s essay and statistical data will be weighted equally, adding that “health and safety experts recommend more emphasis on leading indicators and EHS management as essential components of a worker safety program.”

The organization noted that leading indicators include the number of inspections conducted and safety and health hazards identified, decreased time for hazard abatement, increased employee training, safety suggestions implemented and job hazard analyses completed.

Applicants from the dairy processing and trucking operations industries are judged through the process on their occupational injury and illness performance rates, which operations submit to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. IDFA also outlined that companies applying for the awards must submit a written essay explaining the components of their safety and health programs and how they are using leading indicators.

Additionally, in order to be eligible for the award, a company must be an IDFA member, have “an effective and innovative health and safety program” and illness and injury rates lower than the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ industry averages.

“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 and implement programs aimed at achieving meaningful worker health and safety goals,” said Danielle Quist, IDFA vice president of regulatory affairs and counsel. “We look forward to recognizing the innovative safety management practices that dairy companies have put in place and progressed over the past year.”

All entries are due to the IDFA by May 16. More information and applications are available through the IDFA website. 

– See the list of winners from 2022: IDFA awards dairy companies for safety