Almond Brothers among safest sawmills

Vince Almond, president of Almond Brothers Lumber Co., poses with Eric Gee, executive director of the Southern Forest Products Association after receiving the 2020 Sawmill Safety Award.

The Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) announced winners of the 2020 Sawmill Safety Award, which included Almond Brothers Lumber Co. in Coushatta.

SFPA Lumber Manufacturer members are considered for the award based on information submitted about occupational injuries and illnesses, according to a recent statement. Safety performance is judged by how each mill's safety record compares to facilities of similar lumber output during the year. The results were considered by almost 14 million employee hours recorded at 43 mills.

Almond Brothers Lumber was selected for the Sawmill Safety Award for Division I, which includes sawmills that produce 50 million board feet or less each year. Vince Almond received the award for the company.

“Safety is important in all businesses, and the sawmill business is no different,” said SFPA Executive Director Eric Gee. “We are proud that these SFPA member mills and commend them for striving to make their workplace a safe environment,” he added.

The awards were presented in person at the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition on Aug. 12 in Atlanta.