Weyerhaeuser Longview Pulp, Paper and Packaging mill received national and state recognition for extraordinary efforts in support of workplace safety and health in a partnership with the Department of Labor & Industries - Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA).  Weyerhaeuser Longview Pulp, Paper and Packaging becomes the fifth Washington employer to be recognized as a Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) worksite, and one of 585 such sites across the nation.  To qualify for the elite designation, Weyerhaeuser Longview prepared for three years to subscribe to a 19-point program of promoting worker safety and health and submitted a VPP application.  Eight Washington Department of Labor & Industries (WISHA) safety and health evaluators surveyed the mill operations for two weeks, reviewed programs and documents and interviewed more than 404 employees.

Picture 1 (left to right) Gary Moore presenting certificate to John Walkush Picture 2 Michael Silverstein. Picture 3 Rich Hansen. Picture 4 Chuck Carpenter.

The plant's award ceremony for its new VPP MERIT status was conducted at noon, Tuesday, February 6, 2001 by the front gate of the mill. The award ceremony started with a welcome address and opening remarks by John Walkush, Vice President & Mill Manager, followed by an American, Washington State and Weyerhaeuser flag raising ceremony with the assistance of Weyerhaeuser retirees and military veterans who work at the mill.Gary Moore, Director, Department of Labor & Industries presented the VPP Certificate to John Walkush. Rich Hansen, Sr. Vice President, Weyerhaeuser Timberlands, Chuck Carpenter, Pulp, Paper, Packaging Vice President and Michael Silverstein, Assistant Director, Department of Labor & Industries all made comments on this monumental achievement. Ken Werenko, Department of Labor & Industries, VPP Onsite Evaluation Team Leader, along with other team members presented the prestigious VPP status flag to Mary Dunbar, Safety and Health Manager, Weyerhaeuser

Picture 1 (left to right) Flag presented to site representatives. Picture 2 Mary Dunbar, VPP Representatives and Union Presidents make comments. Picture 3 Dick Hallock Picture 4 & 5 Flag raising.

commitment and employee involvement required to achieve this level of safety and health excellence. After the VPP Merit flag raising, John Walkush made closing comments and invited employees and guests to a celebration lunch.

The VPP Merit status was conferred for the company's leadership, commitment and extensive employee participation in a continual safety and health improvement program.

More than 941 workers are employed on site, producing kraft pulp, bleached board and fine paper. Potential hazards at these facilities include the following: machinery with moving parts, electrical, thermal, energy sources, material handling equipment, ergonomic, walking/working surfaces, confined space, high noise levels, fall exposures and chemicals. Despite the hazards, the company's three-year injury rate is 28 percent below the industry average, and its lost or restricted workday incident rate is 45 percent below the industry standard. In the three years preparing for the VPP the Weyerhaeuser Longview Pulp, Paper and Packaging's injury incident rate improved 64% compared to 1996.

For more information, contact Nancy Martin, Safety Manager, Weyerhaeuser Longview, (360) 578-4692. For more information about WISHA's Voluntary Protection Program, in which WISHA and Washington companies work together to improve safety and health programs, call WISHA, Kenneth Werenko, Safety and Health VPP Specialist, (360) 902-5515.

Picture 1 - Onsite Evaluation Team members and Site VPP Representatives