Safety Performance Awards

Recognize the individuals and teams who are raising the bar for safety excellence in our industry. Nominations for the PPSA Awards are now open—don’t miss the opportunity to honor outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to workplace safety. Submit your nomination by May 1, 2026.

All awards forms are linked below. All award nominations/forms are due May 1, 2026.

"The Executive Eagle" 
Presented annually, the Association's most prestigious award given to an outstanding executive in the paper industry who has made major contributions to the cause of accident prevention in his/her own company and beyond.
Word Document Form    

"The Award of Safety Excellence" 
Given for operating excellence. Three of these awards are presented annually. The 2025-2026 award looks holistically at each nominees’ safety program, record, and continued efforts to promote safety culture.
Word Document Form

“The Safety Innovator Award”
Goes to the one facility annually demonstrating the most innovative safety improvement product/process implemented during a designated date range prior to the annual conference. In order to receive this award, a facility must apply for it, be selected as a finalist and lastly present their innovation in a spirited completion at the annual conference. Conference attendees vote via secret voting to determine the year’s annual winner.
Word Document Form      

"Safety Committee/Team Award"
Given to an industry safety committee/team that has made a significant contribution to safety & health at their location, company, or within the industry. In order to receive this award, a facility must apply for it, be selected as a finalist and lastly present their innovation in a spirited completion at the annual conference. Conference attendees vote via secret voting to determine the year’s annual winner.
Word Document Form       

"Safety Leader of the Year Award"
An outstanding achievement within the safety profession with the Safety Leader of the Year (SLY) Award. The SLY Award recognizes a single forest products industry leader who has demonstrated unique, engaging and effective approaches to the safety programs within their company. In doing so, this individual has had a profound and positive impact on safety within the forest products industry.
Word Document Form

2025 PPSA Award Winners

Executive Eagle – Bill Edwards, Sr. Vice President Pulp and Paper Operations, Domtar
The Safety Leader of the Year- Robert Knoll, Green Bay Packaging
Distinguished Service Award – Paul Bucek, Green Bay Packaging

Safety Committee/Team finalists are:

  • Smurfit West Rock – Nicholasville
  • Graphic Packaging International – Kalamazoo

Innovator Finalists are:

  • Smurfit Westrock Winston-Salem – EVOL Fire Safety
  • Smurfit WestRock Yakima – Slitter Scorer Guard
  • Domtar Rothschild – Pulp Mill Chip Chute Improvement
  • Domtar Rothschild – Hydraulic Core Remover

Award of Safety Excellence:

  • International Paper – Prattville
  • Graphic Packaging International – East Angus

The Fiber of Our Being

Paper derives its strength when fibers alongside one another connect and link and won’t let go, making the sheet functional and valuable for its end use. Similarly, companies derive strength from the character of their employees. Organizations will only be successful when employees understand their individual assigned role and connect with employees around them to […]
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Crosby Shackle Recall

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE USERS OF THE BELOW CROSBY PRODUCT: 1018534 1″ 8.50t G-209 Shackle 1018543 1″ 8.50t S-209 Shackle With Production Identification Codes (PIC) TXJ as located on the shackle bow PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW AND ACT UPON THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS. Dear Valued End User of Crosby Products: THE CROSBY GROUP has determined the above listed […]
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2024 Award Winners

Award of Excellence

Sponsored By Domtar

  • Mills Winner: West Rock, Fernandina Beach Team
  • Converting: Graphic Packaging International, LLC Prosperity Team

Safety Leader of the Year - Sponsored by George Kress Foundation

  • Mel Welsh, International Paper

Distinguished Service Award

  • Randy Adams, Domtar

Executive Eagle - Sponsored by WestRock

  • Mike Farrell, Graphic Packaging International

Innovator Award - Sponsored by International Paper

  • Clearwater Paper Corporation Las Vegas Team

Safety Committee/ Team Award

  • Clearwater Paper Corporation, Shelby Team

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