The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council has awarded two House of Raeford Farms processing plants with safety awards for outstanding performance through the implementation of innovative and effective employee safety and health programs.
The Arcadia, Louisiana plant received an Award of Honor and the Greenville, South Carolina plant received an Award of Merit. Criteria for the awards was based on injury statistics over three years and an evaluation of written applications.
“House of Raeford believes in doing the right thing in all things we do, and that includes workplace safety,” said Bob Johnson, CEO of House of Raeford. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to safety.”
As an example of this commitment, the Arcadia plant instituted an innovative “Near Miss” program in 2013 that is continuing to reap benefits today. A reporting process is triggered when an employee visits the plant nurse for treatment of a minor injury. The employee and their supervisor review the incident to determine if this minor injury could have been more serious under different circumstances. If necessary, additional safety guards or administrative controls are instituted. The program resulted in a 79 percent reduction in recordable injuries in the first year.
House of Raeford is dedicated to a culture of safety in the workplace as evidenced by the company’s ongoing efforts to maintain a work environment that is safe, healthy, and strives to be accident-free. Each House of Raeford plant has a dedicated safety director, and facilities are inspected daily, weekly, and monthly.
The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council comprises members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation.