Making Safety Personal: Lumbermen’s Winter Safety Challenge

February 10th, 2026 by Caleb Krugman
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This winter, Lumbermen’s launched a Winter Safety Challenge designed to help employee owners reconnect with their personal “why” for working safely.

Led by Kate Harris, Lumbermen’s Safety Manager, the challenge invites employee owners to share real-life examples of how they practice safety both at work and at home. By scanning a QR code on the promotional flyers displayed throughout the company, participants can submit stories highlighting the people, passions, and responsibilities that matter most to them outside of work—while also having the chance to win prizes.

“The initiative creates space to reflect on how safe choices at work protect what matters most at home,” says Harris. “By encouraging our employee owners to think about their families, goals, and the life they want to protect, the challenge makes safety personal, not just procedural. It also provides a positive outlet for sharing concerns and speaking up, reinforcing that looking out for each other is part of who we are.”

Interested in strengthening your safety culture and create similar engagement opportunities? Harris offers the following tips:

  • Communicate clearly: Ensure employees understand safety rules and guidelines, and why they matter to your business and culture.
  • Invite feedback: Use simple tools, such as short surveys, to encourage participation and surface safety concerns early.
  • Reward involvement: Incentivize engagement with company swag, gift cards, or recognition to reinforce that every voice plays a role in building a strong safety culture.

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