04/29/2024
Port Gamble, WA
Above: Scotty Zufelt, Alex Popoca, Fritz Cowing

The below content is taken from Rayonier’s “Contractor Safety News” newsletter:

Congratulations to April’s Contractor of the Month, Zufelt Construction Services!

Most of the time, the contractor we honor as safety star is an individual or company that works in one of our forests. But this month, we’re doing something different and honoring one of our Raydient contractors for the construction work they do in one of our most unique locations, the former mill town of Port Gamble in Washington State.

Not only does Zufelt Construction Services help preserve the structural integrity and charm of the historic buildings situated on this 120-acre National Historic Landmark, but owner Scotty Zufelt is also a Port Gamble resident. Recently, a safety incident occurred after hours and Scotty took the initiative to step in and secure one of our buildings after first responders left the scene. He did this even though the incident wasn’t related to Zufelt Construction Services.

Townsite manager, Pete Orbea, said, “No matter the type of work they are performing, Zufelt Construction Services continually goes above and beyond to create a safe workspace and town for our residents and visitors. They always have a safe and tidy job site and take safety seriously. Additionally, Scotty is always quick to respond to any Port Gamble emergency, even in the middle of the night.”

Each week, Zufelt’s crew foreman looks ahead to see what’s on the agenda for the following week and meets with the crew to discuss potential upcoming hazards. This allows the team time to prepare for the hazards they may encounter. Scotty encourages his crew to speak up about what needs to be done to stay safe. He knows that by having these discussions ahead of time, his crew understands the dangers they face and can be prepared with the necessary safety aids and mindset. He said, “I got hurt years ago on a commercial job site as safety was not at the forefront. I don’t want anybody to be hurt on my watch.”

Rayonier and Raydient would like to thank Scotty Zufelt and the entire Zufelt Construction Services team for their commitment to safety.