23 Dairy Businesses Honored with IDFA Safety Awards for Excellence in Worker Safety
Source: DairyNews.today
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has recognized 23 dairy operations for their exemplary achievements in workplace safety with the prestigious IDFA Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Award. Now in its 21st year, the program spotlights U.S. dairy companies that excel in fostering safe work environments.
Celebrating Industry Leadership
“Workplace safety in the dairy industry is not just a goal; it’s a shared commitment,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “These awards celebrate the innovative and proactive efforts that IDFA members implement to protect their teams. Their dedication ensures that safe, nutritious dairy products reach consumers worldwide.”
The awards acknowledge facilities that have successfully balanced employee engagement, robust training programs, and cutting-edge safety practices. Each winner demonstrated outstanding performance metrics, including occupational injury and illness rates, and submitted detailed narratives showcasing their safety initiatives and employee training programs.
Judging was conducted by Pete VanDerlyke, Ph.D., CSP of Harbor Freight Tools, and Danielle Quist of IDFA, with equal emphasis on injury data reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the safety programs described in the applications.
“Leading indicators such as employee engagement and management commitment are at the core of an effective safety culture,” said VanDerlyke. “These awards reflect the dairy industry’s commitment to integrating safety practices that go beyond compliance, setting a standard for operational excellence.”
Outstanding Awards in Worker Safety
The IDFA honored the following companies for their exceptional safety achievements:
Agri-Mark, Inc./Cabot Creamery Cooperative: Transportation DSD and Shuttle
Albertsons Companies: Safeway Bellevue Ice Cream (Bellevue, Wash.)
Byrne Dairy, Inc.: Cortlandville, N.Y.
Centennial Farms Dairy: Atlanta, Ga.
Crystal Farms Dairy Company: Lake Mills, Wis.
Columbia River Technologies: Portland, Ore.
Glanbia Nutritionals: Richfield, Idaho, and Transportation Division
HP Hood LLC: Vernon Transportation
The Kroger Co.: Layton Dairy (Layton, Utah), Mountain View Dairy (Denver, Colo.), Pace Dairy of Indiana (Crawfordsville, Ind.), Pace Dairy of Minnesota (Rochester, Minn.), Swan Island Dairy (Portland, Ore.)
Lactalis American Group: Merrill, Wis.
Michigan Milk Producers Association: Constantine, Mich.
Nelson-Jameson: Marshfield, Wis., and Turlock, Calif.
Tolleson Dairy: Tolleson, Ariz.
Most Improved Awards in Worker Safety
Recognizing significant advancements in safety practices, the Most Improved Award went to:
Albertsons Companies: Hatfield, Pa.
Idaho Milk Products: Jerome, Idaho
The Kroger Co.: Crossroads Farms Dairy (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Pioneering Safety in Dairy
The IDFA continues to champion safety innovations within the dairy sector, emphasizing that a robust safety culture is integral to operational success. These award-winning facilities serve as benchmarks for the industry, demonstrating how a commitment to workplace safety can yield measurable improvements and safeguard the well-being of employees.
“Workplace safety in the dairy industry is not just a goal; it’s a shared commitment,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., IDFA president and CEO. “These awards celebrate the innovative and proactive efforts that IDFA members implement to protect their teams. Their dedication ensures that safe, nutritious dairy products reach consumers worldwide.”
The awards acknowledge facilities that have successfully balanced employee engagement, robust training programs, and cutting-edge safety practices. Each winner demonstrated outstanding performance metrics, including occupational injury and illness rates, and submitted detailed narratives showcasing their safety initiatives and employee training programs.
Judging was conducted by Pete VanDerlyke, Ph.D., CSP of Harbor Freight Tools, and Danielle Quist of IDFA, with equal emphasis on injury data reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the safety programs described in the applications.
“Leading indicators such as employee engagement and management commitment are at the core of an effective safety culture,” said VanDerlyke. “These awards reflect the dairy industry’s commitment to integrating safety practices that go beyond compliance, setting a standard for operational excellence.”
Outstanding Awards in Worker Safety
The IDFA honored the following companies for their exceptional safety achievements:
Agri-Mark, Inc./Cabot Creamery Cooperative: Transportation DSD and Shuttle
Albertsons Companies: Safeway Bellevue Ice Cream (Bellevue, Wash.)
Byrne Dairy, Inc.: Cortlandville, N.Y.
Centennial Farms Dairy: Atlanta, Ga.
Crystal Farms Dairy Company: Lake Mills, Wis.
Columbia River Technologies: Portland, Ore.
Glanbia Nutritionals: Richfield, Idaho, and Transportation Division
HP Hood LLC: Vernon Transportation
The Kroger Co.: Layton Dairy (Layton, Utah), Mountain View Dairy (Denver, Colo.), Pace Dairy of Indiana (Crawfordsville, Ind.), Pace Dairy of Minnesota (Rochester, Minn.), Swan Island Dairy (Portland, Ore.)
Lactalis American Group: Merrill, Wis.
Michigan Milk Producers Association: Constantine, Mich.
Nelson-Jameson: Marshfield, Wis., and Turlock, Calif.
Tolleson Dairy: Tolleson, Ariz.
Most Improved Awards in Worker Safety
Recognizing significant advancements in safety practices, the Most Improved Award went to:
Albertsons Companies: Hatfield, Pa.
Idaho Milk Products: Jerome, Idaho
The Kroger Co.: Crossroads Farms Dairy (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Pioneering Safety in Dairy
The IDFA continues to champion safety innovations within the dairy sector, emphasizing that a robust safety culture is integral to operational success. These award-winning facilities serve as benchmarks for the industry, demonstrating how a commitment to workplace safety can yield measurable improvements and safeguard the well-being of employees.
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