The employees working at the Fort Morgan, Colo. Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) plant can now brag about the safe of their dairy plants – five years with no lost-time accidents. This is a great achievement, especially since the plant doubled its capacity during that period. Congratulations!
Since 1998, the plant has manufactured sweet cream, condensed milk and nonfat dry milk – ingredients used to make cheese, yogurt and ice cream. The plant is supplied by dairy farmers in northeastern Colorado, and is planning another expansion that will be completed in 2009.
“Employee safety is our number-one goal, and I am very proud of our employees for reaching this milestone,” says Tom Cotter, Fort Morgan’s plant manager. “Safety training and procedures are critical to our success, but it is the daily commitment to safety from each of our employees that makes the difference.”
DFA provides a comprehensive safety program for employees, including new employee education, annual training on a variety of topics, an active safety committee, certification programs and many printed materials throughout the plant. A commitment to the safety policies and procedures and good employee communication are other critical components of Fort Morgan’s safety program.
Four employees lead the plant’s safety committee: Shawn Garrett, production manager; Jerry Gaskill, production supervisor; Ted Lawson, mechanic; and Art Soto, dryer operator. These employees are responsible for monthly committee meetings and detailed plant safety inspections, and keeping safety foremost on the employees’ minds every day.