The Connection Magazine AIM MUTUAL Fall 2019 | Page 29

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility at Chase Corporation.
We have a comprehensive program called AREA, which stands
for Awareness, Responsibility, Engagement, and Authority.”
acquisition and then transforming to a
publicly-traded company. We have all the
disciplines and transparency of a public
company while maintaining a family-
business feel.
We manage and invest in the business
for long-term success. At the same time,
we hold ourselves accountable to short-
term results in a way that respects the
tenets of our founders: to create high-
quality products that meet customer
requirements.
We operate manufacturing facilities in
the United States, Europe, and Asia. Our
employees see that we continue to invest
in our capabilities in order to deliver value
to our global customer base’s demands.
They also know we consider workplace
safety a priority.
Q: With multiple locations, what is your
approach to injury prevention?
A: Safety falls under our Quality
department. We have a corporate safety
manager who oversees safety for the
whole company to achieve consistency.
On a monthly basis, we track and report
metrics for each location including days
since a recordable or lost-time incident
as well as days since a near-miss or first-
aid incident. In one recent example,
based on these metrics, we introduced
standardized gloves and knives company-
wide to reduce the risk of lacerations.
These tools are used in certain processes
to customize materials to exact
specifications.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility
at Chase Corporation. We have a
comprehensive program called AREA,
which stands for Awareness, Responsibility,
Engagement, and Authority. As part of
AREA, we have highly engaged safety
committees, daily safety talks, and creative
initiatives like Safety Bingo. AREA has
been in place for about five years and is
highly effective.
Q: How important is managing the
claim process and staying involved as an
employer?
A: It’s critical. If an employee is out, we
need to cover his or her work with existing
staff or hire a temporary employee.
Managing everyone’s expectations is
essential. We always provide transitional
or modified jobs and strive to get an
injured employee back to work as soon as
it’s practical.
We find most employees want to return
to work and their normal routine, which is
good for us as a company. They appreciate
the opportunity to return to work sooner
if a transitional job is available, and we’ve
had a positive experience with that. We
work closely with our claim adjuster
at A.I.M. Mutual to determine what
capabilities the employee has.
Q: Chase Corporation is one of A.I.M.
Mutual’s first policyholders. You took a
chance on an entirely different approach
to workers’ compensation in 1991—a real
leap of faith. How has working with A.I.M.
Mutual been of benefit to you?
A: Over the years, A.I.M. Mutual has
been a true partner in helping us to
improve our claim experience and safety
programs for our employees. Our team is
vital to our success, and this partnership
works well for us.
ADAM CHASE, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHASE CORPORATION
Adam Chase became CEO of Chase Corporation in 2015, succeeding his father
Peter R. Chase. Prior to becoming CEO, Adam was President and COO, responsible
for setting the strategic direction of the company and leading the day-to day
commercial and operational activities for its 15 manufacturing facilities located
in the USA, UK, India and China. Adam was named to Chase’s board of directors in
2010. Under Adam’s leadership, the company has transformed from a diversified
holding company to one focused on manufacturing high performance specialty
chemicals and specialty materials. Chase has successfully acquired and integrated
several strategic acquisitions and developed new product platforms. Adam holds BS
degrees in Finance and Marketing from Boston College, an MBA from Babson College,
and attended the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.
PAULA FALZON ECKEL, VP, HUMAN RESOURCES, CHASE CORPORATION
Paula Falzon Eckel is the Vice President of Human Resources at Chase Corporation,
responsible for the company’s global workforce. She has over 25 years’ experience
as a human resource professional. Paula has lived and worked in Japan and is adept
at working in multi-cultural settings. Throughout her career, her work has focused on
labor-management partnerships, executive leadership, and organizational change. She
is a certified facilitator of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Paula holds a bachelor’s
degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
and a master’s degree in Industrial Relations from Wayne State University, Detroit.
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