June is recognized as National Safety Month, an observance established by the National Safety Council to raise awareness of leading safety and health risks and reduce unintentional injuries and fatalities.

A recent experience reminded me why this observance remains so important. While in a store last week, I watched a young man climb onto a tall barstool to change a light bulb. I cautioned him about the risk he was taking, especially since the stool was a swivel type and his supervisor was standing nearby watching. Although he completed the task without incident, the situation could have ended very differently.

Just a few days later, I was at church speaking with a gentleman who had a black eye. Before I could ask what happened, someone else did. His response: “I got bucked off a chair.” He had stood on a swivel stool to reach into a cabinet, and the stool spun out from under him. The fall resulted in a cracked rib, multiple bruises, and the black eye he was sporting.

Neither incident occurred on a logging site, yet both illustrate an important lesson: accidents often happen when familiar tasks seem routine. We become comfortable, lower our guard, and convince ourselves that a shortcut or quick fix is harmless.

For those of us in the forest products industry, that lesson hits especially close to home. Logging, hauling, forestry, and mill operations involve demanding work where safety must remain a constant priority. The consequences of a momentary lapse can be far more serious than a bruised eye or cracked rib.

That is why organizations such as the National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety Foundation play such an important role in advancing safety across our industry. Volunteering our time to support organizations like THATS is critical to ensuring they can continue their important work.

The THATS Foundation

The National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety (THATS) Foundation was established in 1991 with a mission “to promote, support, and serve as a catalyst for safe and professional work attitudes, practices, and conditions in timber harvesting and transportation.” Individuals who volunteer to serve the foundation do more than express concern for loggers and truckers; they actively work to improve safety throughout the industry.

Grants

Foundation members play a vital role in reviewing prospective grant projects, evaluating their potential benefits, and voting on funding approval. These grants help turn innovative ideas into practical safety solutions.

Examples of recently funded or completed projects include:

• A Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Implementation Committee (SIC) grant supported the development of an online training platform that allows loggers to complete Sustainable Forestry Training modules from home, reducing lost time.
• An Oregon State University project, Virtual Canopy: Immersive Training for Future Forestry Professionals, uses virtual technology to advance workforce development. This grant-funded project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• A newly approved 2026 grant for the Northeast Loggers’ Association (NELA), titled Woods-Ready Safety Plan – A Free Mobile Web App for Logging Site Emergency Preparedness, is designed to provide logging crews with mobile-based safety planning tools for remote work environments.

These grants provide the essential funding needed to transform good ideas into real-world improvements.

Leadership

Many foundation members choose to take their involvement further by serving as chairs. They champion projects that prevent injuries and save lives, and many continue contributing long after their terms have ended. Steve Barnett of BITCO Insurance served as chair for the past two years and will remain active with the foundation, while Tracie Gibbs of Rayonier assumes the role of chair for the 2026-2028 term.

Foundation Funding

Each spring, funding for THATS is generated through both an online auction and a live auction held during the FRA Annual Meeting. The online auction begins before the meeting, allowing participants to place bids 24/7 until the national meeting concludes. Members are encouraged to participate often and bid generously.

The live auction, led by Richard Schwab of M.A. Rigoni Inc., is a highlight of the Annual Meeting and generates significant financial support through the auction of unique experiences such as fishing trips, golf outings at award-winning courses, and vacation stays. Beyond the auctions, many FRA member companies make generous annual cash contributions that help sustain the Foundation’s safety initiatives.

Foundation Membership

Logging ranks among the most dangerous occupations in our country because it is difficult, physically demanding, and unpredictable work. The THATS Foundation has long benefited from strong support within the FRA community because members recognize the importance of an organization dedicated to improving safety in logging and transportation. If you are interested in making a meaningful difference by becoming a foundation member, please reach out to an FRA or THATS Foundation leader. Your involvement would be welcomed and greatly appreciated.