The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) began accepting applications for the Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards. Now in its 21st year, the awards honor dairy processing facilities and trucking operations for outstanding worker safety performance and management. 

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. IDFA weighs equally an applicant’s essay and statistical data as health and safety experts recommend more emphasis on leading indicators and EHS management as essential components of 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 men and women who process, market and transport U.S. dairy products hold the safety of our people and our food and our number one priority. IDFA’s Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Awards spotlight the 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.”

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 and how the company is using leading indicators as an essential driver of worker safety. 

Award winners will be notified later in the summer, featured in Dairy Foods magazine, which co-sponsors the safety awards program, and provided with the 2024 Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Award patch for their use in communications and on company uniforms.

 Companies must be an IDFA member to enter. The 2024 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 May 30, 2024.