At Monument Chemical’s Antwerp site, safety isn’t just a priority – it’s a way of working. And after more than 2,200 days without a lost-time injury (LTI), the team has a powerful reminder of what’s possible when everyone – from the plant floor to the leadership team – takes ownership of safety.

“This milestone represents more than a number,” said Manu Gyselinck, Antwerp Site Director. “It’s a reflection of our culture, our commitment, and our constant effort. We’re proud of this team and the way we’ve grown our safety mindset together.”

That mindset is no accident. A few years ago, the site launched a comprehensive Safety Culture Program, using the DuPont Bradley Curve as a framework to help track and strengthen behavioral safety across the organization. The team evaluates themselves annually across about 20 different safety dimensions, assessing where they stand across four progressive maturity phases – and identifying where gaps exist and how to close them.

“When it comes to building a strong safety culture, much of the most important work happens beneath the surface,” said Gretel Sandrap, Health and Safety Manager. “Think of it like an iceberg – incidents and near misses are the visible part above the waterline. But the deeper causes – the behaviors, mindsets, and conditions – are hidden below. That’s where we focus our energy, because identifying and addressing those deeper factors is how we prevent injuries before they happen.”

Safety Through Connection
Strong communication and collaboration have been cornerstones of Antwerp’s safety progress. Weekly EHS team meetings and biweekly improvement sessions give team members an open forum to raise concerns and propose solutions. Regular toolbox meetings, cross-functional trainings, and a highly anticipated annual Safety Day – featuring team-led initiatives and even external experts – keep engagement high and topics fresh.

“We’ve worked hard to bring our operators, maintenance team, and even contractors into the heart of our safety programs,” said Kevin Van Cleemput, Maintenance Manager. “Good safety ideas come from everywhere – especially the team members who work in operations. Our people live these processes every day. When they’re involved and heard, real improvements happen.”

“When we take time to really listen to our operators – those who are closest to the work – we uncover insights we would otherwise miss,” added Thomas Maes, Production Supervisor. “They’re not just helping us work safely; they’re helping us work smarter.”

A Culture of Accountability vs. Blame
Part of what makes this culture sustainable is its foundation in shared ownership. Everyone is expected to contribute to safety – and everyone is empowered to speak up, challenge assumptions, and bring forward new ideas.

“Over time, we’ve built a culture where people feel comfortable sharing, not because they’re afraid of getting into trouble, but because they know they’re part of the solution,” said Gretel. “That’s what makes this work so powerful.”

The Work Isn’t “Done”
Even with six years of success behind them, the team knows the most important part of safety is never getting complacent.

“If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you have to keep working at this – every day,” said Manu. As soon as you stop pushing forward, you start falling behind. But we’ve also seen what’s possible when you have support from the top. Our company’s leadership – our GLT, our owners, our site leaders – believes in this. This allows us to invest in the time, the resources, and the people to bring our safety commitment to life with tangible actions.”

And these efforts don’t stop at the Antwerp site!

“We’re always looking at how we can share what’s worked here with other Monument sites,” Manu added. “Because at the end of the day, our Monument safety culture is something we can always grow – together.”