Page 33 - 2021 Sustainability Report

SAFE OPERATIONS

At Magnesia Chemicals in Manistee, Michigan, Environmental Health and Safety Manager Shane Surd is determined to
prevent the normalization of deviance from affecting the operation’s team. “We all have deviant behaviors in our lives,”
he says. “Texting and driving is a good example. You’re driving home and you need to send a message – just three quick
words, maybe it takes just five seconds. So, you do it. You know you shouldn’t have done it, but nothing happens, so the
next day, you do it again, and again, and again. Studies have shown that texting and driving is extremely dangerous, but
through your actions, you’ve normalized the behavior. What it comes down to now is that you’re messing with the
bull, and one day, you’re going to get the horns.”

The lesson applies perfectly to the work environment, Surd says while rattling off a dozen possible examples from the top
of his head. Maybe you’re not wearing proper hearing protection. Maybe you’re using improper lifting techniques. Maybe
you’re using the wrong tool for the job. Maybe you’re not speaking up as a good Wingman should.

“There are any number of “maybes” that affect our work, and for our own good, as well as the good of our co-workers,
we need to pay more attention to them,” Surd says. “This is why SLAMs (Stop, Look, Analyze, and Manage) and
workplace inspections are so important,” he says. “We have to make sure that we’re always looking for the hazards in
our environment. Once we’ve seen them, we have to measure the risk and then take every step possible to effectively
manage that risk.”

“Beyond that, preventing the normalization of deviance is another reason every Company employee should be engaged in
the Guardian Angel safety culture,” Surd says. “When I go to work, whether here in Manistee, or elsewhere across the
Company, I expect every Martin employee to be a good Wingman. If someone notices that my gloves are too worn, or
that they’re not the proper type for the job, I want that person to say something. That’s how we avoid complacency.
That’s how we prevent the normalization of deviance.”

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