In a sawmill, danger is always close by. From sharp spinning saws to heavy rolling logs to forklifts zipping across the yard, the work demands constant attention.
Creating a safer work environment in the forest products industry isn’t just hanging a poster on the wall or a speech from management — it’s what gets you and your coworkers home at the end of every shift.
That single message of making sure workers safely returned home each day was a shared belief among the panelists participating in the Southern Forest Products Association’s inaugural Sawmill Safety Summit held during the 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO in Nashville on August 7, 2025.
The Summit kicked off with a ceremony recognizing seven SFPA Lumber Manufacturer member mills that hit an incredible milestone in 2024: 1.8 million hours worked without a single incident.
SFPA Lumber Manufacturer members are considered for the award based on standardized information submitted using OSHA Form 300A – the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form provides a yearly snapshot of workplace safety by reporting the number of work-related injuries and illnesses at each facility.
The 2024 SFPA John Edgar Rhodes Sawmill Safety Excellence Awards recipients were:
- Almond Brothers Lumber Co. – Coushatta, LA
- Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Co. – Smithville, NC
- West Fraser Inc. – Angelina, TX
- West Fraser Inc. – Blackshear, GA
- West Fraser Inc. – McDavid, FL
- Weyerhaeuser Co. – Idabel, OK
- Weyerhaeuser Co. – Zwolle, LA
While the awards were the celebration, recognized mill representatives then came together for the Summit’s central focus: an honest conversation on safety. Those panelists, led by moderator Dale Bracken with National Assessment, included:
- Vince Almond, Almond Brothers Lumber Co. president
- Johnny Sauls, safety manager with West Fraser Inc.
- Stephen Peskar, Weyerhaeuser’s director of lumber manufacturing for the Mid-South and Carolina regions
Here’s what they shared on how they’ve built successful safety cultures, what’s working, what’s not, and how to keep pushing toward a shared goal: zero incidents.
Safety Is Everyone’s Job
One of the strongest themes from the summit was the idea that safety doesn’t live in the front office. It lives on the mill floor, where employees know the equipment better than anyone. When workers are encouraged to speak up — and when management actually acts on their input — the whole culture shifts.
That means giving crews ownership of safety programs, not just rules to follow. Employees who suggest improvements, see them implemented, and take pride in those changes are more invested in keeping things safe for everyone. It turns “the company’s program” into “our program.”
Keeping Safety Fresh
Even the best safety programs can get stale. Over time, people often start to tune out if they feel like they’re hearing the same message over and over. That’s why mills are trying new ways to keep safety front and center.
Some rotate themes each year to avoid the “flavor of the month” trap while still bringing fresh energy. Others offer incentives, like quarterly drawings if no incidents are recorded. And some mills are rolling out challenge programs where employees suggest improvements, with management following through on at least a few of them.
The key isn’t the prize or the theme — it’s keeping things from going on autopilot. Safety has to feel real, alive, and worth paying attention to.
The Power of Small Habits
The roots of safety culture lie in small actions and simple routines — wearing protection, moving materials correctly, and looking out for coworkers. Every action matters, and each choice influences the next person.
Each safe choice reinforces the culture, influencing the next person. Safety isn’t just about big programs; it’s about everyday decisions.
Old Hands Guiding New Hires
Turnover has hit sawmills hard in recent years, and many crews now have a mix of seasoned veterans and brand-new workers. Experienced employees often become the first line of training, helping the green hands avoid costly mistakes.
But it’s not enough to rely on “watch and learn.” Structured safety meetings, training programs, and fresh perspectives from outside trainers all help fill the gaps. Sometimes, someone from outside the mill will notice risks that feel like second nature to longtime workers. For new hires, those explanations can be the difference between confusion and clarity.
Technology Joins the Toolbox
While relationships and culture are at the heart of safety, new technology is also becoming part of the solution. RFID-enabled hardhats, for example, can trigger alarms when workers get too close to heavy rolling equipment. These tools do not replace good training and vigilance – they add another layer of protection.
The idea isn’t to rely on gadgets, but to use them as one more safeguard in an environment where the margin for error is slim.
When Safety Leaves the Mill
One sign of a strong safety culture is when workers carry it home. Stories from the 2025 SFPA Safety Summit highlighted employees who stopped climbing ladders recklessly, replaced worn-out extension cords in their garages, or made sure their kids wore safety glasses while mowing the lawn.
When safe habits show up outside the gates, it proves that safety isn’t just a policy. It’s a mindset.
Facing Today’s Risks
Traditional mill hazards aren’t the only concerns anymore. Workplace violence and active shooter scenarios are real threats that mills are beginning to address. Some have rolled out training programs and added barriers like fencing and gate controls.
While no system can guarantee prevention, slowing down an intruder or preparing workers to respond can save lives. The same goes for road safety: with more employees driving as part of their jobs, vehicle accidents have become a leading cause of fatalities. Safety now extends beyond saws and forklifts to include the broader risks of today’s workplace.
The Heart of a Safety Culture
Strong safety culture starts with relationships. Workers look out for teammates, supervisors lead by example, and managers act on promises. Small, consistent habits carry as much weight as big programs.
Safety has no endpoint — it requires vigilance during long shifts, routines, and moments of fatigue.
What It Means Going Forward
The lessons from the 2025 SFPA Safety Summit weren’t complicated. They were practical, grounded in real experience, and meant for anyone working in or around a sawmill:
- Listen to the people who run the machines.
- Keep safety fresh with new approaches.
- Reinforce the small habits every day.
- Support new hires with training and mentorship.
- Use technology as another layer of protection.
- Extend safety beyond the gates and into daily life.
- Stay relentless, even when it gets tough.
Zero incidents isn’t just a dream. Mills across the industry are proving it can be done. The challenge is to take these lessons back to your workplaces and put them into practice.
Because at the end of the day, safety isn’t just about meeting OSHA requirements or hanging a plaque in the office. It’s about making sure everyone goes home — every shift, every day.