Although there were 18 awards presented at the 2022 Sappi Southern Africa (SSA) Safety Excellence Awards, in reality these award winners represent the thousands of people who return home safely to their loved ones and families every day from a Sappi site. Each safety observation made, and each injury-free and incident-free day ensures that we are all winners at Sappi.
The two safest business units that were singled out as overall winners, was the Sappi Stanger Mill in the manufacturing category and Sappi Forests Zululand in the forestry category. Both these business units are extending their reign as top units for a second year running.
The awards are held annually to celebrate the achievements by employees and contractors who are nominated for their consistent and uncompromising commitment and dedication to Sappi’s zero-injury approach to safety, keeping everyone in their scope of influence safe and protected throughout the year.
Individuals that were singled out were: Kendy Kambarami, Ngodwana Mill; Rendani Madula, Tech Centre; Roshan Maharajh, Stanger Mill; Ncamisile Mdadane, Saiccor Mill; Elvis Bandhla, Somusa Forestry Mpumalanga; Karen Mattheus, Lomati Mill; Danie Rossouw, Sappi Rosebank; Nyasha Zimbodza, Sappi Forests Zululand; Rama Reddy, Goldfields Sappi Tugela Mill; Nelisiwe Ngwenya, Mhlambanyathi Forestry Mpumalanga; Gideon Mkhabela, Ngodwana Mill and Sbahle Dlamini, Sappi Forests KZN
Contractors that excelled were IPSS Contractors at Ngodwana Mill, Mhlambanyathi Forestry in Mpumalanga, Waybar Construction at Saiccor Mill and Farmusa Agric & Forestry Contractors in KwaZulu-Natal.
One of the key fundamentals of the Sappi Southern Africa (SSA) business strategy is to drive operational excellence and one of the ways in which this is championed, is through acknowledging and celebrating our safety-first culture. Supporting the health, safety and well-being of our employees and contractor employees is the cornerstone of our business. All our pulp and paper mills are certified to OHSAS 18001 to ensure best practice in health and safety, and we work to entrench the principles of safety first across all our operations every day, to encourage a 24/7 safety mindset.
“These awards are among the most prized accolades in our company,” said SSA CEO Alex Thiel. “It is with deep recognition and respect that we present the awards to these individuals and teams in honour of the rigour shown in staying vigilant, keeping an eye out for others, identifying hazards and having the courage to challenge any unsafe acts or conditions. They are prime examples for all of us to follow.”
Sappi’s annual Safety Excellence Awards have become a celebration of safe behaviour and display a company where safety has become a way of life for its employees and contractors.
ENDS
About Sappi
Sappi is a leading global provider of powerful everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative, and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we seek to support a more circular economy.
Sappi is powered by the expertise of more than 12,000 people worldwide; with headquarters in four key regions: South Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia.
Locally, we have a footprint in Gauteng (head office), KwaZulu Natal (three mills, forestry operations and a shared services hub), Mpumalanga (two mills and forestry operations) and the Western Cape (sales office staff). Our product offering in SA include dissolving pulp, packaging and specialities, graphic papers, and forestry products.
We also generate shared value in the communities in which we operate, by investing in skills training and SMME development to boost employment and grow the economy.
Sappi will continue to build a thriving world by acting boldly to support the planet, people, and prosperity.
