A sign displayed at Sonoco headquarters main gate in the 1930s. back to safety

It is the policy of the Company to provide a safe and healthful work environment for the protection of its most vital resource—Sonoco employees. The safety of employees shall be of the greatest interest to all levels of management and supervision, ranking in importance above production, quality, costs and service. The Company's basic philosophy is that all personal injuries can and must be prevented. While the responsibility for safety begins and ends with the president, that responsibility is shared throughout the organization. Division vice presidents are responsible for their divisions, plant managers for their plants; supervisors are accountable for the safety of their groups; and all individuals are accountable for their own safety. There is no place in the organization for an unsafe employee. All employees at every level are expected to fully accept responsibility for their own safety, and for the safety of those with whom they work. The Company will maintain a vigorous safety and injury-prevention program at each location, and will allocate the necessary resources to assure a safe and healthful work environment. Policy adopted in July 2000