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AFPA names health and safety award winners
Sept. 24, 2016 - At its 74th Annual General Meeting and Conference, the Alberta Forest Products Association recognized the excellence of AFPA member companies, contractors, and employees. Awards were presented in several categories, including health and safety and lumber grading.
September 24, 2016 By Alberta Forest Products Association
AFPA President and CEO Paul Whittaker said, “Our industry is about people. We are proud of the achievements of our people, including their exemplary efforts to make our workplaces safe and ensure that consumers around the world receive safe and consistent products.”
Alberta’s forest products industry directly employs 15,000 people and creates employment for an additional 30,000 through its economic activity.
The Health and Safety awards, co-sponsored by Alberta Labour, recognize superior performance in forest industry health and safety. Recipients are chosen based on criteria that include participation in the Partnerships in Injury Reduction program, audit results, and most importantly, on-the-job performance.
Health and Safety Excellence (2015)
| Company/Location | Award Sector |
| Northland Forest Products Ltd., Fort McMurray | Sawmill/Planer Mill (40,000 to 300,000 phw*) |
| Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Grande Prairie | Sawmill/Planer Mill (more than 300,000 phw*) |
| West Fraser Mills Ltd. (Slave Lake Pulp), Slave Lake | Pulp and Paper Mill |
| West Fraser Mills Ltd. (RangerBoard), Blue Ridge | Panelboard Mill |
| Peace Country Ventures Ltd., Peace River | Woodlands Contractor |
| Northern Reforestation Inc., Slave Lake | Silviculture Contractor |
Outstanding Achievement in Health and Safety (2013 -2015)
| Company/Location | Award Sector |
| Northland Forest Products Ltd., Fort McMurray | Sawmill/Planer Mill (40,000 to 300,000 phw*) |
| Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, Drayton Valley | Sawmill/Planer Mill (more than 300,000 phw*) |
| West Fraser Mills Ltd. (Slave Lake Pulp), Slave Lake | Pulp and Paper Mill |
| West Fraser Mills Ltd. (Ranger Board), Blue Ridge | Panelboard Mill |
| North West Harvesting, Slave Lake | Woodlands Contractor |
| Shakti Reforestation Ltd., Edmonton | Silviculture Contractor |
| Taylor Forest Consulting Corp., Lac La Biche | Small Employer Woodlands or Silviculture Contractor |
| Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, Drayton Valley | President’s Award for Health and Safety Performance 2013-2015 |
*phw is person hours worked
“Our award winners know that ‘Safety doesn’t happen by accident’, it’s a priority” said Carola von Sass, the AFPA’s Director of Health, Safety and Transportation. “AFPA is proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for making a difference!”
Lumber Grading Awards
A lumber grade is the quality control standard seen on every piece of dimensional lumber, engineered wood applications, finger-joined and other glued lumber products. Lumber grading is linked to building codes, safety codes and CSA standards. Skilled employees at the mill site inspect and grade each piece of lumber produced. The Alberta Forest Products Association is the primary certification agency in Alberta, responsible for ensuring the quality control of each piece of stamped lumber originating from its members. Each year, the AFPA recognizes lumber graders that attain the highest certificate exam marks in three categories. The awards are for the highest marks achieved in the AFPA Lumber Grade Schools held in the fall 2015 and spring 2016.
| Grader Name | Company/Location | Award Category |
| Raymond Gendi | West Fraser Mills Ltd. LVL. Rocky Mountain House | Novice Category |
| Jeffrey McKay | Millar Western Forest Products Ltd., Whitecourt | Grader Category |
| Carole Kordyban | Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, Grande Prairie | “AA” Category |
Norm Dupuis, Director of the AFPA’s Grade Bureau, congratulated the winners on their achievements. “Consistent and accurate grading is important for our customers. These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of the recipients.”
The Alberta Forest Products Association is a private, non-profit industry organization, representing lumber, panelboard, pulp and paper, and secondary manufacturing wood products companies operating in Alberta. AFPA member companies are active participants in sustainability advancements that contribute economic, environmental, and social benefits for Albertans.
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