From the Coast Guard to Classroom: The Journey of a Dedicated OSHA Safety Expert

Since retiring from public service he has become a well-regarded speaker, instructor, consultant and author in the field of safety. He also holds a BS in Business Management and an MA in Organizational Management

Throughout his career, Mark Norton has witnessed firsthand how organizations approach safety—and the consequences of neglecting it. Having sustained an injury in his own career and experienced the effect it’s had on his life, he advocates strongly for a holistic and proactive approach to safety for every employee in the organization. 

“Safety is not just about compliance with regulations; it is about creating a culture where every employee feels responsible for their own safety and the safety of their colleagues,” said Norton. “It's about protecting lives and preventing the kind of pain and disruption that injuries can cause.”

Mark Norton's extensive experience across various industries—ranging from construction and manufacturing to general industry—provides a wealth of practical knowledge for him to share with his students at the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies OSHA Training Institute Education Center. 

His ability to draw examples from his own real-world experience enables him to make the material relatable to almost every student, no matter their industry or background. This highly engaging and relevant approach to teaching helps ensure his students are well-prepared to handle the variety of safety challenges they might encounter throughout their careers.

"I enjoy getting safety professionals at the very beginning of their career and being able to keep them engaged by using examples that are relevant to their work environments," Norton shared. 

Norton’s dedication and extensive safety experience make him an invaluable instructor for preparing the next generation of safety professionals to lead with an engaged and proactive safety mindset.

Early Career and Introduction to Safety

Norton’s introduction to the world of safety began during his time in the Coast Guard. 

"I joined the Coast Guard intending to become an oceanographer's mate but that role was phased out while I was in boot camp," he shared. 

With the original plan no longer available, Norton chose a new path as a hospital corpsman. He was sent to Hospital Corps School and eventually to the Navy's Preventive Medicine School. He describes the role he came to adopt as "the Coast Guard's version of a safety and health technician."

In addition to serving as a flight rescue medic-–oftentimes aiding fishermen injured at sea on the Eastern seaboard or off the coast of Alaska–Norton also conducted inspections throughout all the different Coast Guard facilities and environments to ensure safety and compliance with key regulations. 

"I was doing inspections in all of the facilities,” said Norton. “The hangers, the living quarters, the restaurant facilities, the housing units… Anything they had on the base, I was responsible for inspecting.”

Eventually, Norton's duties expanded to include developing curriculums and conducting health and safety training to other Coast Guard service members and recruits. 

"My 'mission goal’ was to make sure that my fellow service members were keeping themselves healthy and not getting hurt," Norton explained. "Part of that was teaching service members to be cognizant and proactive about their own safety."

From Norton's point of view, he was on track for a long and fulfilling Coast Guard career. 

A Life-Changing Injury

All of that changed when Norton sustained an injury to his leg during a boarding operation. 

Multiple surgeries kept him out of commission for several months, and the physical damage he incurred ultimately ended his career with the Coast Guard.

"They told me I was disqualified from even being in the Coast Guard due to my injuries," he said. 

The sudden shift from being a highly trained military professional to an unemployed civilian was jarring for Norton. He struggled with depression and financial difficulties that stemmed from the sudden loss of income, all while trying to support his wife and two children. 

To add insult to injury, he also experienced stigma and limitations to his career options based on his status as a “disabled veteran.” 

"My discharge papers marked me as 'retired by reason of physical disability,' which became a major hurdle in finding employment," Norton said. 

His original plan for life after the Coast Guard was to pursue a career in law enforcement, but that was no longer an option. Many other employers were hesitant to hire someone with a documented disability. 

"The injury was a turning point in my life. It changed everything," Norton said. "I had to come up with a new plan, a new way forward."

The shift came nearly a year later when he found a job listing for an OSHA compliance officer with Arizona's state worker health and safety agency. 

"I read the description of the job duties and said, 'That's everything I did in the Coast Guard on the safety side,'" Norton explained. 

He applied and was eventually hired for the role, which marked the beginning of a nearly 26-year tenure with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH).

Though his career with the Coast Guard ended, Norton's passion for safety was just beginning. His transition to the role with ADOSH allowed him to channel his experiences into a new path focused on preventing workplace injuries.

A Career in Safety and Service

Norton's initial role as an ADOSH compliance officer involved conducting inspections and ensuring that businesses adhered to safety regulations. 

"I enjoyed the whole process of trying to evaluate workplace systems and activities and trying to make sure that people were working as safely as they could," he said. 

This period was also formative, exposing him to a wide range of safety issues and workplace accidents.

"Having been injured myself, I know how life-changing it could be," Norton reflected. "I wanted to do what I could to ensure that what happened to me wouldn't happen to others. That's what motivated me in my work every day."

The stark reality of workplace hazards and the consequences of neglecting safety protocols became more and more apparent to him during his time in this role too. 

"I did dozens and dozens of fatality investigations in those first ten years," he shared. "I saw a lot of things that people shouldn't have to see in a workplace."

Over time he transitioned to the consultation side of ADOSH which offered a new perspective. 

"Consultation is the friendlier side of OSHA,” he said. “It focuses on helping employers improve their safety programs rather than penalizing them.”

His duties included overseeing Arizona's Voluntary Protection Program, which allowed him to work closely with proactive employers who wanted to do the right thing. The role also provided Norton with the opportunity to work collaboratively and provide safety guidance across a broad spectrum of workplaces. 

"One day you're in a construction site, the next day you're in a manufacturing facility," said Norton. "It was something different every day.” 

By drawing on these experiences, Norton has been able to provide both his students at UC San Diego and his clients with a wide-ranging perspective on safety management. 

"Every industry has its unique set of risks and safety needs," he noted. "The consulting work I've done allows me to bring a broader perspective to what I share in the classroom, both for organizations and aspiring safety professionals."

Sharing Knowledge Through Writing

In addition to teaching at UC San Diego's OSHA Training Institute Education Center and conducting independent consulting work, Norton has also made a significant contribution to the field of safety as a published author.

The title of his first book, "It's Not My Job," reflects a frequent yet unfortunate attitude Norton has encountered throughout his career—one where employees and managers alike fail to take responsibility for safety by each thinking it’s the responsibility of the other. 

"The book is about getting everyone to understand that safety is a shared responsibility," Norton explained. "I developed it as a guide that can be used by safety committees and workforces to build improvements into their processes." 

His second book, "If You Could See What I See," draws on his extensive experience investigating workplace incidents. The goal of the book is to emphasize the importance of identifying and addressing safety disconnects before they lead to accidents. 

"That book was based on my years as an investigator," said Norton. "I learned what safety breakdowns look like, feel like, and sound like—and how to engage the workforce to identify those breakdowns before they happen.”

Observations on Safety Culture in Companies

For workers looking to stay safe, companies looking to enhance their safety practices, and safety officers early in their careers, Norton offers several pieces of key advice. 

Safety is Top Down

First and foremost, he emphasizes the importance of leadership’s commitment to safety. 

"When leadership is visibly committed to safety, it sets the tone for the entire organization," he said. "The commitment needs to be reflected in action to really sink in, so regular safety training, transparent communication, and investment in the necessary safety equipment."

Safety is More than Compliance

Another recurring theme Norton notes from throughout his career is companies applying a compliance-driven approach to safety rather than a more comprehensive safety for safety's sake approach. 

"Compliance is important, but it shouldn't be the only focus,” he said. “A true safety culture goes beyond just following the rules. It involves a commitment to doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."

Safety is Vigilance

Norton also advises companies to take a proactive approach to safety. He noted that many companies fall into a false sense of security when they go a stretch without accidents.

"Complacency is the enemy of safety," Norton warns. "The moment you think it won’t happen to you is the moment you're most at risk."

He recommends staying vigilant even if everything seems okay. This means conducting regular risk assessments, encouraging employees to report hazards, and continuously reviewing safety protocols.

Safety is Communication

Another recurring theme behind workplace safety hazards is a lack of communication and shared safety training between management and frontline employees.

"Continuous training helps keep safety top of mind and ensures that both management and line-level employees are aware of the latest practices," he said. 

Communication is also a two-way street. Norton emphasizes the importance of encouraging employees to speak up and providing channels for workers to voice concerns or suggest improvements too.

"Employees are often the first to notice potential hazards,” said Norton." Their input is valuable and can significantly improve safety outcomes in a workplace."

Safety is Everyone's Concern

Norton also encourages workers to continuously update their knowledge and take personal responsibility for their own safety. 

"Every employee has a role to play in maintaining a safe work environment," Norton said. "Don't rely solely on management or safety officers. Take an active role in your own safety.” 

Continuing the Mission of Safety Education

Norton's contributions to the field of safety and health have not gone unnoticed. His work has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the 2008 National Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association (VPPPA) Chairman's Award and the 2009 American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Southern Arizona Chapter Safety ‘Professional of the Year' award. 

Looking forward, Norton remains committed to his role as an educator at the OSHA Training Institute Education Center within UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies and his work as an independent consultant. He sees these roles as opportunities to continue making a positive impact on workplace safety. 

"My goal is to share what I've learned with the next generation of safety professionals," he explained. "Teaching and consulting allow me to keep learning and growing, while also giving back to the community."

Norton hopes that his work will inspire others to prioritize safety in their organizations and to view it as an integral part of their business operations. 

About UC San Diego OSHA Training Education Center at Extended Studies

The UC San Diego OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) is part of UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, which has served as a premier source of lifelong learning for adults seeking professional and personal growth for more than five decades. 

The UC San Diego OTIEC has consistently provided quality, innovative and cutting-edge occupational safety and health construction and general industry standards-based education and training since 1992 when it was chosen as one of the original four OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers. In addition to the U.S. Department of Labor OTIEC courses, the Occupational Safety and Health Department at UC San Diego Extended Studies has a long history of providing courses in safety inspections, fire and life safety, EM385-1-1, workers compensation and safety leadership and more.

Instructors are highly qualified professionals who teach OSHA standards in Construction, General Industry, and maritime using real-world experience. Students leave the classroom prepared to apply the standards in their workplace.

Learn more about the OSHA Training Institute Education Center.