TUCKER, GA. – National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF), and US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) members were recently encouraged by the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council to submit applications for the Frank Cruice Innovation in Safety & Health Award. 

The award is named in honor of Frank Cruice, formerly of Perdue Farms, who was an active Joint Poultry Safety & Health Council member for more than 20 years. Additionally, Cruice led the industry safety award committee and served as Council Chair from 2019 – 2021 before he retired.

“The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council is pleased to provide an award program that recognizes poultry and egg companies’ innovations in worker safety advancements,” said Allan Foy, corporate director of safety, Farbest Foods, and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council.

Award applications are open for several industry categories, including Poultry Processing (NAICS 311615), Poultry & Egg Production (NAICS 1123), Animal Feed Manufacturing (NAICS 311119), Animal Support Services (NAICS 115210) and Rendering (NAICS 311613). 

Awards will be issued in both processes and equipment and a panel of judges will select the winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Criteria for the award include applicants having an innovative or novel solution proven to reduce occupational injuries/illnesses or improve safety awareness on or off the job.

They also must demonstrate results over at least a six-month period and must be able to be leveraged across the industry.

The council noted that preference would be given to innovations developed through safety committees or other grassroots efforts. 

The group stated that anything implemented in an “off the shelf” program purchased or acquired from a third party will not be considered.

The Joint Industry Safety & Health Council includes USPOULTRY, NCC, and NTF members. Collectively, the three organizations represent companies that produce 95% of the nation’s poultry products and directly employ more than 350,000 workers.

The application deadline will be Sept. 20. The awards winners and honorable mention recipients will be received at a ceremony during the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) on Jan. 28, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga.

Award program rules, regulations and application forms are available by clicking here.