Recognized for Over Two Million Hours Worked Without Lost Time Injury Project

WASHINGTON – The American Forest & Paper Association recognized Sappi North America with the 2017 AF&PA Leadership in Sustainability Award for Safety for their Over Two Million Hours Worked Without Lost Time Injury project. This is the second year in a row AF&PA has honored Sappi for its sustainability advancements. The award was presented at AF&PA’s annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 3 in Greensboro, Georgia.

“All of Sappi’s mills follow standard industry safety measures, but their mill in Cloquet, Minnesota went the extra mile to implement a set of initiatives that reached unprecedented safety records,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman.

Sappi’s Cloquet mill implemented four unique safety programs, engaging and educating its employees on recognizing safety issues, reducing risk of injury, maintaining a safe work environment, and creating and sustaining safety standards. The programs led the Cloquet mill to reach a company milestone of two million hours worked without a lost time injury – an equivalent to over 450 days without significant injury.

“On behalf of Sappi, I’d like to thank the AF&PA for recognizing our Cloquet mill’s safety achievement,” said Sappi North America President and CEO Mark Gardner. “Its true value is that our employees go home at the end of each shift without injuries and can enjoy their time with loved ones – that is priceless.”

Designed to recognize exemplary sustainability programs and initiatives in the paper and wood products manufacturing industry, AF&PA’s annual sustainability awards are given based on the merit of entries received across multiple categories.

Projects that support progress toward the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals qualify for recognition in the “Leadership” category, which has five subcategories that correspond to the goals: Paper Recovery for Recycling, Energy Efficiency/Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Sustainable Forest Management, Safety, and Water. The “Innovation in Sustainability” award is reserved for projects that merit recognition for their contribution to sustainable business practices, not one of the goals specifically. 

AF&PA releases its sustainability report every other year. The 2016 Sustainability Report showed that the U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry has made significant, measurable progress toward achieving its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability goals.

For more information, visit sustainability.afandpa.org.