April 2, 2025 (press release) –
Sappi Forests is proud to celebrate an extraordinary safety achievement by its Zululand Coastal team, which has reached the milestone of 10 million Lost Time Injury Free (LTIF) hours. To put this into perspective, 10 million LTIF hours is the equivalent of 1,141 years of continuous work 24/7 for one person. With the last recorded lost time incident occurring on 18 November 2018, this milestone reflects more than 2,330 days (more than six years) of unwavering dedication to safety and teamwork.
Mark Barnardo (GM KZN Forests), Graeme Wild (SSA CEO), Pieter van der Merwe (Senior Area Manager, Zululand), Duane Roothman (VP Sappi Forests) and Sandile Nkosi (GM Sappi Khulisa) cutting the cake.
The Sappi Zululand Coastal team in a joyous mood, celebrating their milestone achievement.
Achieving such a milestone 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. The Zululand Coastal team’s achievement underscores the strength of Sappi’s safety culture and its steadfast commitment to employee well-being.
The Silvicultrix safety reps welcomed guests with an impressive song and dance performance, setting the tone for the festivities of the day.
Every team member – employees and contractors alike – has played a vital role in fostering a safe work environment. This isn’t just about following protocols; it’s about looking out for each other, daily. The remarkable collaboration of 650 workers from nine contractors – Silvicultrix, WSB, SSthree, Ligna, Leomat, Ingulule, Savithi, Iningi Investments, Buhlebodwa, and Bidvest Protea Coin – as well as Sappi Own Operations, has been instrumental in reaching this milestone. This collective effort reinforces the principle that safety isn’t the responsibility of a few but of every single person on-site.
The contractors responsible for this remarkable achievement were honoured at a special occasion.
Attendees toured Sappi's plantation, exploring forestry operations, safety practices, and the vital role of teamwork in upholding high standards.
“A strong safety culture was key to this accomplishment. Reaching 10 million LTIF hours didn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of 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 it’s a core value and it is about caring for each other,” said Duane Roothman, Vice President of Sappi Forests.
“This milestone is a testament to the accountability and vigilance of the Zululand Coastal team. They have 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.”
The Zululand Coastal team’s success is a shining example of Sappi’s leadership in redefining safety standards within the forestry sector. By achieving 10 million LTIF hours, Sappi Forests demonstrates the potential for operational excellence and prioritising people, further inspiring the industry to raise its safety standards.
Ends
About Sappi Forests
Sappi Forests owns and leases 401,000 hectares (ha) of land, of which 262,000 ha is planted and 139,500 ha is unplanted natural areas set aside and maintained to conserve the natural habitat and biodiversity found there, following best practice principles. All our land is FSC™ (FSC™ N003159) and PEFC (PEFC/01-44-43) certified ensuring adherence to the highest environmental standards. Sappi Forests, directly and indirectly, employs over 10,000 people through its own and contractor personnel. Sappi Forests prides itself on sustainable forestry practices, playing a vital role as an anchor tenant in the rural landscapes of South Africa. By driving the circular economy and supporting rural development, Sappi Forests secures low-cost wood to maintain competitive margins for its manufacturing operations while actively conserving biodiversity and creating shared value for neighbouring communities.
Sappi Forests’ commitment to the forestry value chain is evident in our highly successful and inclusive Enterprise Supplier Development Programme, Sappi Khulisa. This programme benefits more than 4,000 timber suppliers directly. In addition, we make use of the services of hundreds of other contractors and suppliers, including medium, small, and micro enterprises, who provide us with essential services such as harvesting, transport and logistics, firefighting, silviculture, maintenance, and security.
For further information
Zelda Schwalbach
External Communications Lead
Sappi Southern Africa
Mobile: +27 (0)83 652 8528
Zelda.Schwalbach@sappi.com
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