Wayne-Sanderson Farms garnered 14 separate safety awards at this year’s National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, proving once again that the company’s Zero Accident Culture approach to employee safety and health reduces lost time accidents and injuries. Industry leaders and peers joined company safety and leadership staff this week to recognize accomplishments during the industry’s largest annual safety-focused event. Wayne-Sanderson Farms received two prestigious Industry Innovation Awards and 12 separate facility awards for innovative and effective employee safety and health results over the last year. Awards were based on injury statistics over a three-year span in tandem with evaluation of written applications by judges.
The awards recognition for safety performance reflects a historically strong showing for the company, who’s safety record has steadily improved over the last seven years. Under the leadership of Senior Director of Safety and Health Reggie McLee, the Zero Accident Culture platform was launched in 2015 to focus on sustainable safe practices across the entire workforce. Stressing personal responsibility and accountability for safe performance and accident avoidance, the safety team created a proprietary Supervisors Safety Matrix, with tools and processes supervisors could use to observe, analyze and improve workplace behaviors and map out best practices to avoid risks and improve safety company-wide.
With accident and DART rates significantly below the industry standard and corresponding drops in numbers of claims and worker’s compensation expenses, Clint Rivers, Wayne-Sanderson Farms President and CEO, noted the safety team’s relentless approach to safe practices and employee health and welfare. “Our people are the most important part of our success,” said Rivers. “When we focus on safe practices and the safety of our coworkers every day, it becomes personal. We’re partnering with our team members to improve our entire operation and these awards are evidence that it’s working.”
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Corporate: Company-wide corporate and complex supervisor Safety Matrix
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Albertville Hatchery: Formaldehyde Safe Distribution System Engineering and Process
Awards of Distinction
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Dothan, AL: Hatchery
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Troy, AL: Hatchery
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Adel, GA: Hatchery
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Decatur, AL: Prepared Foods Facility
Awards of Honor
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Laurel, MS: Feed Mill
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Palestine, TX: Hatchery
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms St. Pauls, NC: Hatchery
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Jack, AL: Fresh Processing Facility
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Union Springs, AL: Fresh Processing Facility
Awards of Merit
– Wayne Farms Elkin, NC: Hatchery
– Wayne Farms Danville, AR: Fresh Processing Facility
– Wayne-Sanderson Farms Palestine, TX: Fresh Processing Facility
About the Joint Industry Safety and Health Council: The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council consists of members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95 percent of the nation’s poultry products and directly employ more than 350,000 workers.
About U.S. Poultry and Egg Association: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to
progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.
About the National Chicken Council: The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies of NCC account for more than 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.
About the National Turkey Federation: The National Turkey Federation is the national advocate raising awareness for its members’ products, while strengthening their ability to profitably and safely deliver wholesome, high-quality, and nutritious food to consumers worldwide. NTF represents growers, processors, hatchers, breeders, distributors, allied services and state associations.
ABOUT WAYNE-SANDERSON FARMS
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture, and an industry- leading workforce of more than 26,000 people, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne-Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of WAYNE FARMS® fresh and prepared chicken; SANDERSON FARMS® fresh chicken; COVINGTON FARMS® fresh and frozen chicken; PLATINUM HARVEST® premium fresh chicken; CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken; and NAKED TRUTH® premium chicken. For more information visit our website at http://www.waynefarms.com.
