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. 29