Northwest Dairy Industry To Be Recognized For Safety Efforts

Northwest dairy will be front and center when safety is honored in March.  The Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America has announced that eight individuals and organizations will be honored for leadership in agricultural safety as demonstrated through safety training, collaboration, promotion, education or research.

One of the organizations to be honored will be the Washington state Dairy Association.  ASHCA said the oldest dairy trade association in the U.S. has prioritized the health and safety of dairy workers for the past six year.  That includes making safety content a priority at annual meetings, and working with academic partners to improve practices.

In additional the Idaho Dairymen’s Association will be honored for successfully introducing the National Dairy Farm Safety Program to dairies throughout the state.  Safety Director Ryan Dewitt and CEO Rick Naerebout successfully introduced the National Safety Program to dairies throughout Idaho via consulting services, worker training with I-pads, onsite training and compliance assistance. They took a proactive approach by working with researchers Dave Douphrate and Robert Hagevoort, affiliated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-funded High Plains Intermountain Center for Ag Health and Safety to test, evaluate, refine and sustain a safety program that has now reached more than 2,000 hired workers in Idaho.

The awards will be presented on the first day of the North American Agricultural Safety Summit, March 19th and 20th at Bally’s of Las Vegas.  The summit, hosted by ASHCA, will feature top safety experts, mentoring opportunities and a unique agricultural safety learning lab.

“We established these safety awards to highlight effective and efficient practices that enhance worker safety within agriculture,” said Jess McCluer, board chair of ASHCA, and vice president of safety and regulatory affairs at the National Grain and Feed Association. “Not only is safety important for individual employees, but it also is one of the key business excellence areas that determine long-term sustainability.

For the full agenda, and to register as an attendee, sponsor or exhibitor, check out go to ASHCA's Website.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com