Sappi Forests is celebrating the extraordinary safety achievement of its Zululand Coastal team, which has reached the milestone of 10 million Lost Time Injury Free (LTIF) hours. 

Ten million LTIF hours is the equivalent of 1,141 years of continuous work 24/7 for one person. The last recorded lost time incident occurred on November 18, 2018, and this record reflects over 2,330 days (more than six years) of unwavering dedication to safety and teamwork.

The achievement is no easy feat, particularly in the forestry sector. Forestry operations inherently carry risks, from navigating rugged terrain and managing unpredictable weather to operating complex machinery. Sappi says the Zululand Coastal team's achievement underscores the strength of its safety culture and commitment to employee well-being.

The remarkable collaboration of 650 workers from nine contractors, Silvicultrix, WSB, SSthree, Ligna, Leomat, Ingulule, Savithi, Iningi Investments, Buhlebodwa, and Bidvest Protea Coin and Sappi's own teams made it possible. 

"A strong safety culture is key to this accomplishment. Reaching 10 million LTIF hours didn't happen by chance. It results from consistent safety training, strict adherence to procedures, and a workplace culture that values open communication and encourages speaking up about potential risks. At Sappi, safety is a core value and about caring for each other", explains Duane Roothman, Vice President of Sappi Forests. 

He says the Zululand Coastal team "demonstrated that by prioritising safety, we can overcome the inherent risks of forestry and set new benchmarks for the industry. Everyone at Sappi can take pride in knowing that safety remains at the heart of what we do. At the end of the day, our mission is clear: Everyone has the right to return home safely, every day".