Lucca Mill wins the 'Lowest level of severity' award

This year again DS Smith’s paper mill in Lucca received an award in the field of health and safety at the "Obiettivo Zero" event, promoted by the "Fondazione Lazzareschi" in Porcari (LU).

This foundation aims to raise the awareness of the paper industry to reduce accidents within the paper mills, by promoting initiatives and by releasing the annual awards (now the 13^th edition).  These awards are handed to companies that have achieved the best results in safety in the paper industry in the previous year. In 2016 the Lucca mill emerged as the company with the lowest index of injury severity (counted in 'Days of absence from work').

Our expertise put Lucca Mill on the map among the leading companies in accident prevention and as a reference company for the high standard and commitment every day, in all departments of the plant

— Stefano Scigliano, Safety Manager at Lucca Mill

After having received the award, Stefano Scigliano, Safety Manager at Lucca Mill said: “The current safety standards at Lucca Mill could have only been reached thanks to a twenty-year experience in the fight against accidents and safety prevention. Our expertise put Lucca Mill on the map among the leading companies in accident prevention and as a reference company for the high standard and commitment every day, in all departments of the plant.”

When asked how he perceived the change in the industry, Stefano answered: “Results in the industry are not always exciting, and this reminds us that security must be a priority for each company! The result of Lucca's commitment is measured not only in the low accident rate and hours lost for injuries but in the cultural change that we have experienced in the past years. To demonstrate this, it is enough to think that today no operator, for any reason in the world, would work in the paperboard without safety shoes ... while until the 1980s and 90s it was not only customary, but safety shoes were seen as an impediment to work.”

Our biggest challenge remains our first goal: to create a working environment that is 100% free from accidents

To finish, Stefano provided a peek behind the scenes why Lucca deserved this award: “Our paper mill has increased its safety approach to work, by developing over the years several H&S projects: training projects on safe behaviours, good work practices, involvement of operators to define standards and operating procedures, a "safety tour" and daily monitoring of operational and behavioural standards. Our biggest challenge remains our first goal: to create a working environment that is 100% free from accidents.”