Health and Safety

Health and Safety is not considered just a priority at Mercer, but rather a value embraced as something that never changes and is integral to everything we do. Through consistent communication and reinforcement, the focus on health and safety is the responsibility of all. The Mercer Way recognizes that everyone has the right to a safe and healthy workplace and by fostering an interdependent safety culture where everyone looks after themselves and each other; we strive for a workplace that is also more stable and produces higher quality products. This culture of safety translates into not only healthier and safer employees, but also smoother and more stable operations. Through regular facility and equipment inspection and scheduled maintenance outages we reduce the potential for upset conditions and emergency breakdowns that can result in accidents, damage, and fires. Maintaining process safety alongside of behavioral safety is a business imperative.

At Mercer, our “Road to Zero” is a concept that is fundamental to our culture and how we work. We are deeply committed to a zero-injury workplace and the well-being of everyone involved. To achieve this, we maintain our nine Life-Saving Golden Rules, targeting high-risk activities. Our dedication is further demonstrated through comprehensive programs including training on critical aspects of safety such as risk assessment, compliance, emergency response procedures, and industrial hygiene. Every incident evaluated to have potential for serious injury is investigated to understand and address the root cause, preventing future occurrences. We also conduct regular safety audits to ensure our programs are effective.

MERCER SAFETY PROGRAMS

While Mercer’s operations include joint safety committees and embedded worker safety representatives, we realize that safety starts with those doing the work every day on the ground. That’s why we support the worker’s “Right to Know” regarding the hazards of the work and how to protect themselves from those hazards.

Employees are expected to stop work when a safety concern is identified. Safety issues are corrected and addressed by employees and supervisors. Safety Professionals are available at every operation, supporting teams as required. This applies to all workers, from Mercer employers to contractors who may be working at our locations temporarily. At Mercer, all of us are accountable for providing a safe working environment.

Mercer Safety Days are held annually to review audit safety program elements, inspect the workplaces, and talk with leadership and employees to find ways to improve and to expand best practices and learnings. Our Health and Safety policy outlines our commitment to a zero harm work environment where the well-being of our people is not negotiable and where every employee holds responsibility for ensuring that all injuries are prevented both at work and at home.

Going forward, we also intend to enhance our Advance Abilities Management program across the organization. The goal of the program is to respond immediately to an injury, provide early intervention, and support to reduce aggravation. It involves managing the injury through modified work arrangements when required based on the injured employee’s abilities while respecting any defined physical restrictions.

Safety training begins on day one at Mercer as safety is a key aspect of orientation for employees, contractors, and visitors. Each production site conducts ongoing safety training, including continuing education for on-site safety professionals on how to meet jurisdictional regulations. Training at Mercer is not just limited to the mills but is also equally emphasized at our corporate offices. Our Senior Safety Leadership Committee provides oversight for health and safety across the organization and is continuously working to further company-wide programs that teach the foundational aspects of health and safety.

At Mercer, we believe that every injury is preventable and that safety is non-negotiable. Given the nature of industrial manufacturing work, we acknowledge the potential for workplace accidents. We maintain strong emergency response plans and well-prepared teams with high quality tools and equipment to respond to emergencies that could occur. We also maintain a robust Crisis Management Plan with a team of support in the event it is required.

Mercer utilizes what is called a “Safety Flash” to quickly disseminate general safety information, positive recognition and near miss or accident report details. Mercer’s longstanding commitment to health and safety data collection and sharing was significantly enhanced in early 2023 with the launch of HendrikS, a cloud-based repository. This platform now allows all employees to easily view safety performance and information at their facility and across all of Mercer, report safety incidents, and provide feedback.

…if you feel something is unsafe for you or others, it’s your obligation to refuse the work, challenge the situation, and work together to solve the problem. This is the Mercer Way. It’s all about collaboration.”

Mark Goebel

Vice President, Health and Safety at Mercer International

PROTECTING THE SAFETY OF CONTRACTORS

At Mercer, we take the safety and well-being of contractors as seriously as that of our employees. In fact, the same policies that apply to our employees also apply to contractors working on our behalf. Reviewing safety records and monitoring contractor safety performance is a key aspect of our contractor selection process to ensure our commitments to safety align. As part of our contractor safety program, we also ask our contractors to evaluate our safety programs regularly to help us identify new ways to improve our safety protocols.

GOAL

By 2030, achieve a <1.7 total recordable incidents rate (TRIR).