At BiOrigin Specialty Products (BSP), safety and wellness are more than initiatives, they’re part of how we work every day. This summer, our St. Catharines, Ontario mill put that philosophy into action with programs and events designed to keep employees active, engaged, and prepared.
Stepping Into Wellness
In July and August, the St. Catharines team launched its first-ever wellness challenge: a step competition. Twenty-eight employees participated, tracking their activity and competing for top honors. The first-place winner earned an Apple Watch, while second place took home a Fitbit, and every participant received a BSP-branded stainless steel water bottle and a stretch/fitness band as encouragement to stay active.
The results went beyond prizes. Employees were enthusiastic, competitive, and, most importantly, moving more throughout their days. The challenge showed how simple activities can bring teams together while supporting healthier lifestyles.
Wellness Beyond the Mill
At BSP, safety is not limited to what happens inside our facilities. We believe that supporting employees’ overall health and wellbeing is just as important as providing a safe working environment. Initiatives like the St. Catharines step challenge encourage healthy habits that extend into everyday life, from building endurance to reducing stress and improving long-term wellbeing.
Committing to Safety, Together
At every BSP mill, employees can sign a banner featuring our safety slogan, “Safety is at the core of everything we do.” The banner is more than a display piece, it is a visible, collective pledge that each employee makes to prioritize safety in their daily work.
At St. Catharines, as in all our mills, the act of signing the banner represents a personal and team-wide commitment. It serves as a reminder that safety is not just a policy but a shared responsibility. By putting their names on the banner, employees demonstrate that they are united in their efforts to keep one another safe and to ensure everyone goes home healthy at the end of each day.
Hands-On Fire Training
To strengthen emergency preparedness, 33 Fire Captains and First Responders at St. Catharines completed hands-on fire safety training throughout July. The sessions gave participants practical experience using fire extinguishers and the mill’s utility hoses.
“This training is critical in making sure our team can respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency,” said Ana-Lyn Daquiz, Safety Manager. “It’s one thing to know the procedure, it’s another to physically handle the equipment and feel confident using it.”
Living Our Values
From wellness challenges to fire safety, these activities reflect BSP’s belief that safety and wellness go hand-in-hand. By creating opportunities for employees to stay active, engage in open safety dialogue, and build practical skills, the St. Catharines team is helping strengthen the culture that keeps our mills running strong.
