The Tech Box

The Fibre Box Association’s Innovation in Safety Achievement Award

Recognizing Excellence and Paving the Way for 2024 Submissions

Updated January 6, 2024

The Fibre Box Association (FBA) Safety and Health Committee proudly highlights the extraordinary efforts made by industry leaders to advance workplace safety with the prestigious Innovation in Safety Achievement Award. The Innovation in Safety Awards are separate from the Perfect Plant and FBA/AICC Safety Excellence Awards. This accolade recognizes inventive solutions that address workplace hazards and promote employee well-being.

Honoring Innovations in Safety: A Look at Last Year's Award-Winning Submissions

The 2023 Innovation in Safety Achievement Award recipients demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in addressing critical safety challenges within the corrugated manufacturing industry. These innovations exemplify how creative thinking and collaboration can lead to safer workplaces. Below are the top three award-winning innovations that set a high standard for safety excellence:

  1. Georgia-Pacific, Martinsville, VA — Double Backer Belt Changing Safety Innovation

Georgia-Pacific revolutionized belt-changing procedures on the double backer section of their corrugator, a task fraught with significant risks from suspended loads and elevated work surfaces. By developing a state-of-the-art threader/winder machine, they eliminated employee contact with the running machine, reduced belt change time by 75%, and cut labor hours by 92%. This decade-long project epitomizes the commitment to operational safety and efficiency.

  1. WestRock, Mount Royal, QC, CA — Eliminating Manual Threading on the Corrugator's Hotplate Section

WestRock tackled the thermal hazards and nip point risks associated with manually threading the corrugator's hotplate section. Partnering with an engineering firm, they designed a threading assist device with enhanced guarding and interlocked switches. This innovation significantly reduced potential injuries and streamlined operations, demonstrating a proactive approach to hazard elimination.

  1. Georgia-Pacific, Augusta, GA — Single Facer Gap Check Safety Enhancement

Recognizing the risks in checking the gap between the corrugator and glue roll, Georgia-Pacific implemented a solution allowing operators to perform this task outside the machine, avoiding exposure to thermal hazards and pinch points. This innovation drastically improved operator safety and operational reliability through rigorous collaboration and prototype testing.

How to Submit Your Innovation for the 2024 Awards

The 2024 Innovation in Safety Achievement Award is now open for submissions. This award continues to inspire groundbreaking solutions by spotlighting inventive approaches to workplace safety. If your plant, team, or company has implemented a safety innovation with measurable impact, consider submitting your nomination.

Award Criteria

To qualify, your innovation must:

  • Address a specific workplace hazard or unsafe behavior.
  • Demonstrate measurable improvements in safety metrics, such as reduced accidents, injuries, or near-misses.
  • Be actively implemented and fully operational within your facility.
  • Showcase clear and tangible results that highlight its effectiveness.

Examples of eligible innovations include technologies that correct unsafe behaviors, processes that reduce ergonomic risks, or tools that provide real-time safety data.

Submission Process
  1. Nominations:
    • Please submit a detailed one-page description of your innovation, including its implementation process and impact.
    • Include supporting materials such as photos, videos, and documentation showcasing the innovation in action.
  2. Evaluation:
    • A panel of experts from the FBA Safety and Health Committee will assess the uniqueness, execution, and safety improvements of each submission. All entries will be anonymized for impartial evaluation.
  3. Recognition:
    • Award winners will receive a personalized certificate and the opportunity to present their innovation in an industry webinar and publicly acknowledge their contributions.
Key Deadlines and Submission Details
  • Deadline: March 7, 2025
  • Submission Materials: Ensure your nomination includes clear descriptions, visual aids, and measurable outcomes.
  • Contact Information: Contact Chase Kammerer [ckammerer@fibrebox.org] if you have questions. The submission form is now available by clicking here
Why Participate?

The Innovation in Safety Achievement Award recognizes exemplary contributions and fosters a culture of creativity and continuous improvement. By sharing your innovative solutions, you help inspire advancements across the corrugated manufacturing industry, making workplaces safer for everyone.

Join the ranks of industry leaders in redefining safety standards. Submit your nomination today and take the next step toward revolutionizing workplace safety.

Thanks,
Chase

Chase Kammerer is the Technical Services Manager at Fibre Box Association (FBA). If you have technical questions about the corrugated industry, you can reach him directly at ckammerer@fibrebox.org.