A male logger worked with an all-male crew cutting trees. The crew was supervised by a foreman. The industry’s standard safety practices were to wear eye and hearing protection while cutting trees. The foreman and the other crew members were old-fashioned types who thought safety gear was a waste of time. The logger, by contrast, was always careful to wear earmuffs and safety glasses while working.

The logger’s caution became a source of friction on the crew. The other workers thought the...