Georgia-Pacific places a strong emphasis on workplace safety, with the goal of ensuring employees finish every shift safely and return home in the same condition in which they arrived. Across its facilities, many safety improvements have been developed through collaboration between employees who combine their practical experience and expertise with new technologies to address workplace hazards.

One example is Omni Pro, an AI-powered camera system designed to help reduce the risk of accidents involving industrial vehicles and pedestrians in manufacturing environments. The technology uses cameras and artificial intelligence to identify people entering areas used by mobile equipment, providing an additional layer of protection for workers who may be exposed to vehicle-related hazards.

The initiative recently received recognition from the National Safety Council (NSC) at its 2026 NSC Safety Summit. Each year, the NSC presents its Networks Catalyst in Safety Award to two organizations that develop and put into practice innovative solutions to persistent workplace safety challenges.

Georgia-Pacific has also introduced another pedestrian safety measure at its corrugated facility in Denton, Texas. Employees at the site assessed potential hazards and identified a particularly significant risk at the parking-lot entrance, where employees and visitors had to cross active shipping lanes used by mobile equipment.

To address the danger, the facility installed an automated pedestrian crossing system incorporating gates, crossing arms and warning lights. Pedestrian access remains available under normal conditions, while the system automatically limits movement when trucks approach the crossing. This creates a more controlled environment in which pedestrians and vehicles can move through the area safely.

The Denton initiative was recognized for the second consecutive year by the Fibre Box Association, which presented Georgia-Pacific with its Innovation in Safety Achievement Award.
These projects reflect Georgia-Pacific's approach of encouraging employees throughout the organization to identify potential hazards and participate in developing practical solutions. Recognition from organizations such as the National Safety Council and Fibre Box Association highlights the role employees play in advancing workplace safety and sharing innovative approaches that could benefit the broader manufacturing industry.

The team at Georgia-Pacific's Augusta Corrugated facility has set a new standard for safety, earning the Fibre Box Association's 'Innovation in Safety' Achievement Award for creating a groundbreaking tool.
 
For years, workers encountered serious hazards while checking the gap between the glue roll and the corrugated roll on the single facer, a large machine that forms flutes on liner paper for corrugated board. Though the task may seem simple, the risks were considerable. Employees had to feed material just 4 thousandths of an inch thick into the running machine, forcing them to reach into dangerous areas near the machine's nip point, exposing themselves to extreme heat, pinch points, and potential crushing injuries. Despite the danger, the process had become routine.
 
"We had become complacent. People said, 'this is how it's always been done,' but that didn’t mean it was the right way," said Daryl Harris, corrugator supervisor.
 
Recognizing the need for improvement, the Augusta team acted swiftly. Collaborating with maintenance personnel and equipment operators, they developed a solution within just two months. The result was a gap check stand, a tool that significantly improves safety by keeping employees completely away from the machine. It eliminates the dangers of heat, pinch points, and crushing injuries and is securely bolted to the floor to avoid any risk of being pulled into the single facer.
 
The impact of this innovation has been tremendous. Employees appreciate the tool’s simplicity and effectiveness, and most importantly, it ensures their safety.
 
"The teamwork and quick problem-solving demonstrated by the Augusta team are remarkable," said Paul Guy, operations manager while adding, "When leadership engages with staff and offers a solution that enhances safety while empowering everyone, it not only improves the work environment but strengthens our overall success. I’m incredibly proud of this collaboration."