Employee Perspectives on Occupational Safety
Safety Culture Grows Alongside Employees
Juha-Pekka Rosenqvist – better known as JP – has worked at Corex’s Pori cardboard mill for over 20 years and has seen firsthand how the plant’s safety culture has evolved. Today, safety is a natural part of everyday work, where every employee takes responsibility and actively makes safety observations. According to JP, this mindset also carries over into home life and supports overall well-being.
JP began his career at Corex’s Pori plant in 2002 as a field worker. Today, he works at the plant’s recycling pulp facility as an operator and summer shift supervisor. His career has developed in parallel with the safety culture at the plant, and the change has been significant. When JP started over 20 years ago, the culture was very different.
“The biggest improvements have been personal protective equipment. They’ve changed dramatically, and making them mandatory has advanced the safety culture a lot,” he explains.
Safety is Part of Everyday Work
Today, occupational safety is an automatic part of the daily routine at Corex’s Pori plant.
“It’s just everyday activity now. You don’t even need to pay special attention to it anymore – it’s automatic,” JP says. Employees understand that using protective equipment is in their own best interest, not just an obligation.
“There are good reasons why we use protective equipment. The culture around it has changed enormously over the years.”
Corex’s principle that “everyone is responsible for safety” is visible in daily work. Employees actively make safety observations, which are recorded in a shared system.
“We have a digital system for reporting observations, and it works well. The observations are reviewed together in the morning meetings. It took some time to get used to the system, but now it runs smoothly,” JP explains.
Safety awareness is also reflected in practice. JP assesses potential hazards in every task – especially in new or unusual situations.
“Maybe not always on paper, but at least in my mind. Every time I start a job, I go through what the risks could be.”
Safety Training Tailored to Plant Needs
Corex’s safety training has developed from general courses into programs tailored specifically to the needs of the plant.
“Now we have training designed directly for us, not just generic courses,” JP says. Regular training keeps safety at the forefront: the shift supervisor’s safety briefings, hot work and safety training every five years, and emergency and first aid training every three years.
Openness Increases Safety Awareness
Corex has an open safety monitoring system where all employees can see safety observations and their progress. JP finds this valuable.
“You can see the safety observations and what needs fixing. It hasn’t had any negative effects at all – it’s a useful tool,” he says.
Safety Thinking Extends Home
At Corex, safety doesn’t stop at the factory gates.
“When you work safely, you inevitably bring the same habits home. If you wear safety glasses at work, why wouldn’t you use them at home too?”
Corex also supports employee well-being with a wide range of benefits and an annual wellness event. JP sees a clear connection between safety and well-being.
“Well-being at work increases endurance and improves safety. If you’re exhausted, the risks increase.”
Studies Support Safety Competence
Alongside his work, JP is studying to become a process engineer. His studies deepen his understanding of both occupational and process safety.
“Occupational safety is more about the person, while process safety is more about the equipment,” he explains.
JP’s message to other industrial employees is clear:
“Safety belongs to everyday life, not just work. Wherever you are, if you do things safely and follow instructions, everyone gets home healthy.”
Juha-Pekka Rosenqvist’s interview shows how safety culture develops through long-term effort and the commitment of every employee. At Corex’s Pori plant, safety is not just rules but a way of working – both on the job and in everyday life.