First shift safety committee: (Front row left to right) Debra Fletcher, Bobbie Whitfield, Sara McRae, Hermione Harris, Yolanda Spruill, 2nd row left to right: Rogelio Salas, James Nelson, Lawrence Graham, Katrina Gibson, Stevie Ingram, Ruby Williams, Amanda Kessler, 3rd row left to right: Anthony Davis, Jeff Collins, Bill Moore, Iris Davis

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Third shift safety committee: (Front row left to right) Hang Pau, Erica Malachi, Keith Allred, Tomeka Wall, Sharon McLean, Creshawn Little, 2nd row left to right: Joseph McGibboney, Quanica Cox, Nigel Brower, Dewayne Ratliff, Kelvin Carter, Miguel Mendoza

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Perdue Farms’ processing plant in Rockingham was among 18 Perdue facilities recently recognized by the Joint Industry Safety and Health Council for outstanding safety performance.

Perdue received the awards at this year’s National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry held recently in Florida. Perdue facilities received 18 of the 68 awards given — more than any other council member company.

The Rockingham plant was one of eight Perdue food-processing facilities to receive the Award of Distinction, the highest honor. To qualify for the award, the facility was required to maintain key safety metrics at least 50 percent better than the industry average for three consecutive years.

“Our associates work hard to ensure a safe work environment and I’m pleased to see their efforts recognized in this way,” said Kendall Casey, Perdue director of operations in Rockingham. “Our safety programs are designed to create a culture of safety that involves every associate. The most important part of creating a safe workplace is the ongoing dedication of our associates who come to work every day with safety top of mind.”

Perdue has a standard, company-wide safety program that encourages active employee participation and input. Associates take part in safety committees, and meet regularly to discuss safety issues, and perform inspections before the start of each shift. Members have the authority to stop production or prevent start-up if any unsafe condition is found. Every associate attends safety awareness training, and is encouraged to look for and report problems. Reports are created, and tracked, when associates identify potential hazards.

“At Perdue, our safety programs create a culture of safety that involves every associate,” said Chairman Jim Perdue. “Each year, we set goals around people, products and productivity, and we always put people first in that equation. There’s nothing more important than providing our associates with a safe and secure working environment where they can be successful and, at the end of the day workday, return safely to their families,” Perdue said.