MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S. — The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is now accepting applications for the 2020 Safety Awards Program. The program recognizes facilities that go an entire year without a work-related lost-time injury or illness and facilities that have zero recordable work-related injuries or illnesses.

Facilities that successfully complete the program receive a plaque, and are recognized at the Exchange, on the GEAPS website and in GEAPS’ bi-monthly newsletter.

“Safety is the No. 1 concern in our industry,” said Steve Myers, Bunge Milling, GEAPS International president. “With the potential risks involved with storing and processing grain, it’s not enough to have regular safety meetings. We need to develop effective safety cultures, and recognizing a year’s worth of safe behaviors is an important piece of the puzzle.”

 Companies that have participated in the past are encouraged to enroll online. For first-time companies, applications are available on GEAPS Safety Award’s website. Enrollment must be completed and submitted to GEAPS by Jan. 10, 2020. Facilities must then go all of 2020 without a work-related lost-time injury or illness, and complete the online reporting form or submit their 2020 OSHA 300A form, along with the total number of personnel hours worked at the facility during the calendar year.

A separate form or signed letters on company letterhead stating that there were no lost-time injuries or illnesses and reporting the total personnel-hours worked are accepted for facilities outside the United States. Please contact Deb Most with GEAPS for more information.

 The program is open to grain storage and processing facilities, as well as suppliers and millwrights. The enrollment fee is $95 for facilities that employ a GEAPS member, and $140 for non-member facilities. Only one facility discount is allowed per member.

 Results of the program are announced each year at GEAPS Exchange. 2020 Safety Award winners will be recognized at Exchange 2021 in Columbus, Ohio, U.S., and 2019 program winners will be announced at Exchange 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

Of the 501 facilities that enrolled in the 2018 GEAPS Safety Award Program, 410 successfully completed the year without any lost-time injuries or illnesses.

The top five facilities by cumulative hours were:

  • Bunge North America, Russel, Manitoba, 1,917,324 hours
  • Bunge North America Delphos, Ohio, 1,570,632 hours
  • Bunge North America Hamilton, Ontario, 1,552,838 hours
  • Bunge North America, Bellevue, Ohio, 1,454,346 hours
  • Bunge North America, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 1,262,699 hours