<Page>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                              SAFETY HOLDINGS, INC.

                        MANAGEMENT SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

     THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of October 16, 2001 (this
"AGREEMENT"), is made by and among Safety Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY"), whose address is c/o The Jordan Company, LLC, 767 Fifth Avenue,
48th Floor, New York, New York 10153, and the persons and entities whose names
are set forth at the end of this Agreement (collectively the "STOCKHOLDERS").

     1.   STOCK SUBSCRIPTIONS.

          (a)  Each Stockholder (i) subscribes for the number of shares set
forth opposite such Stockholder's name in EXHIBIT 1 hereto of the Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), at a purchase price of $10.00 per
share, (ii) tenders in consideration of the subscription for such Common Stock a
Promissory Note executed and delivered by the Stockholder in favor of the
Company in substantially the form of EXHIBIT 2 attached hereto (the "NOTES") and
in an initial principal amount set forth in EXHIBIT 1 hereto, and (iii) agrees
to enter into a Stock Pledge Agreement in favor of the Company in substantially
the form of EXHIBIT 3 attached hereto (the "PLEDGE AGREEMENTS") in order to
secure the payment of amounts due under the Notes. Each of the Stockholders, in
order to facilitate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, authorizes
and appoints the Company or any of its representatives to direct the transfer of
the subscription consideration from any account which such amounts may be paid
into for the benefit of such Stockholder to any account established for the
benefit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. For purposes of this
Agreement, the Common Stock and the Restricted Shares (as defined in SECTION
1(b)) are collectively referred to as the "SECURITIES").

          (b)  The Company pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan (as defined in
SECTION 2(b)) hereof may grant to certain executives shares of Common Stock (the
"RESTRICTED SHARES"). Such Restricted Shares shall vest as set forth in the
Restricted Stock Plan.

          (c)  Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company and the other
Stockholders that such Stockholder understands and agrees, as follows:

     THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES
LAWS. THE SECURITIES ARE VERY SPECULATIVE AND RISKY. THERE IS NO PUBLIC OR OTHER
MARKET FOR THE SECURITIES NOR IS ANY LIKELY TO DEVELOP. THE COMPANY AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES HAVE BORROWED A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE FUNDS USED TO OPERATE
ITS BUSINESS. EACH STOCKHOLDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH STOCKHOLDER MAY AND CAN
AFFORD TO LOSE SUCH STOCKHOLDER'S ENTIRE INVESTMENT AND THAT SUCH STOCKHOLDER
UNDERSTANDS SUCH STOCKHOLDER MAY HAVE TO HOLD THIS INVESTMENT INDEFINITELY.

     2.   PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS.

          (a) This Agreement references certain pertinent documents as well as
applicable laws and regulations. Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company
and the other

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Stockholders that such references are not summaries or complete and are
qualified in their entirety by the complete texts of the documents, laws and
regulations so summarized.

          (b)  Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company and the other
Stockholders that such Stockholder has had access to and has had ample
opportunity to review and understand each of the following documents:

               (i)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company;

               (ii)   By-laws of the Company;

               (iii)  Merger Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2001, by and among
the Company and the other parties signatory thereto, including all exhibits and
schedules thereto;

               (iv)   Stockholders Agreement, including all exhibits and
schedules thereto;

               (v)    Notes, including all exhibits and schedules thereto;

               (vi)   Pledge Agreements, including all exhibits and schedules
thereto;

               (vii)  Jordan Investors Subscription Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof, by and among the Company and the stockholders named therein,
including all exhibits and schedules thereto;

               (viii) Management Consulting Agreement, dated as of the date
hereof, by and among the Company and TJC Management Corp. ("TJC MANAGEMENT"),
including all exhibits and schedules thereto (the "MANAGEMENT CONSULTING
AGREEMENT");

               (ix)   Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of the
date hereof (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among Thomas Black Corporation, Fleet
National Bank ("FLEET"), the other lenders party thereto, and Fleet, as agent
for itself and such other lenders, including all exhibits and schedules thereto;

               (x)    Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company and JZ Equity Partners PLC
("JZEP");

               (xi)   2001 Restricted Stock Plan (the "RESTRICTED STOCK PLAN"),
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT 4 attached hereto, adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company, including all exhibits and schedules thereto; and

               (xii)  This Agreement and all exhibits and schedules hereto.

     The documents referred to in (i) through (xii) are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "OPERATIVE DOCUMENTS", except that, for purposes of SECTION
10(g) only, this Agreement will not be considered an Operative Document.

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     3.   STOCKHOLDER REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. Each
Stockholder represents, warrants and covenants to the Company and each other
Stockholder that:

          (a)  Such Stockholder has the legal capacity, power and authority to
enter into and perform all of its obligations under this Agreement. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Stockholder will
not violate any other agreement to which such Stockholder is a party including,
without limitation, any voting agreement, stockholders agreement or voting
trust, other than the Stockholders Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by such Stockholder and constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of such Stockholder, enforceable against such
Stockholder in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability (i)
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (ii) is
subject to general principles of equity.

          (b)  Such Stockholder is employed in a managerial or executive
position with the Company's subsidiaries and is familiar with the Company's and
its subsidiaries' operations, financial condition and business prospects.

          (c)  Such Stockholder (i) will not transfer any Securities if such
transfer would result in a default by the Company or its subsidiaries under any
of the provisions of the Operative Documents, (ii) except as required by the
Operative Documents, grant any proxies, deposit any Securities into a voting
trust or enter into a voting agreement with respect to any Securities, or (iii)
take any action that would make any representation or warranty of such
Stockholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the effect of
preventing or disabling such Stockholder from performing his obligations under
this Agreement or any of the Operative Documents, or would result in a default
by the Company or its subsidiaries under the provisions of this Agreement or any
of the Operative Documents. Each Stockholder further agrees that such
Stockholder's ability to transfer Securities is subject to the limitations,
restrictions and conditions of the Stockholder Agreement and the other Operative
Documents.

          (d)  Such Stockholder will complete, execute and file a form of
election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days of the execution of
this Agreement and the purchase of the Securities.

          (e)  Such Stockholder has no pending or threatened claim, complaint,
action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation against the Company or its
subsidiaries for any period prior to the date hereof, nor does said Stockholder
intend to bring or file any claim, complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing
or investigation against the Company or its subsidiaries for any period prior to
the date hereof.

          (f)  The Company has afforded such Stockholder and such Stockholder's
advisors, if any, the opportunity to discuss an investment in the Securities and
to ask questions of representatives of the Company concerning the terms and
conditions of the offering of the Securities and the Operative Documents, and
such representatives have provided answers to all such questions concerning the
offering of the Securities and the Operative Documents. Such Stockholder has
consulted its own financial, tax, accounting and legal advisors, if any, as to
such

                                        3
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Stockholder's investment in the Securities and with the Operative Documents and
the consequences thereof and risks associated therewith. Such Stockholder and
such Stockholder's advisors, if any, have examined or have had the opportunity
to examine before the date hereof the Operative Documents and all information
that such Stockholder deems to be material to an understanding of the Company
and its subsidiaries, the proposed business of the Company and its subsidiaries,
and the offering of the Securities. Such Stockholder also acknowledges that to
such Stockholder's knowledge there have been no general or public solicitations
or advertisements or other broadly disseminated disclosures (including, without
limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published
in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television, radio
or internet, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited by any
general solicitation or advertising) by or on behalf of the Company regarding an
investment in the Securities.

     4.   RISK FACTORS. Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company and the
other Stockholders that:

          (a)  (i)  such Stockholder knows and understands that the Company's
subsidiaries are the Company's only material assets, and that the Company and
certain of its subsidiaries have borrowed a substantial portion of the funds
used to effect the purchase by the Company of the shares listed in the Merger
Agreement; (ii) it is unlikely that dividends will be paid on the Securities;
(iii) there is no legal requirement or promise made by the Company to declare or
pay such dividends and such dividends may not in any event be paid if such
payment would violate any term of the Operative Documents; (iv) certain of the
Operative Documents severely restrict the ability of the Company to make any
dividend or redemption payments in any case and such payment may be further
restricted by future agreements or instruments binding on the Company or its
subsidiaries; (v) if a Stockholder ceases to be an employee of the Company's
subsidiaries such Stockholder's Securities may be subject to certain rights of
the Company to repurchase such Securities under this Agreement, the Restricted
Stock Plan or the Stockholder's employment agreement with the Company's
subsidiaries; and (vi) under the repurchase payment terms, such Stockholders may
not receive full cash payment in return for the Stockholder's Securities for
several years.

          (b)  (i)  Such Stockholder has pledged, pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement, certain of the Securities held by such Stockholder for the benefit of
the Company to secure payment of the amounts due under the Note of such
Stockholder, if any; and (ii) under the terms of the Pledge Agreements, each
Stockholder may forfeit to the Company such Stockholder's pledged Securities
upon certain defaults under the Note or Pledge Agreement executed by such
Stockholder.

          (c)  Any financial projections or forecasts with respect to the
Company and its subsidiaries are only forecasts prepared by management, which
are subject to many assumptions and factors beyond the Company's and its
subsidiaries' control, and that there can be no assurances that these forecasts
will be realized.

     5.   SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER MATTERS. Each Stockholder represents and
warrants to the Company and the other Stockholders that:

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          (a)  (i)  such Stockholder used no "purchaser's representative" (as
that term is used in Regulation D as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Operative
Documents; (ii) neither The Jordan Company, LLC ("JORDAN"), nor any of its
respective partners, members, principals, directors, officers, representatives,
attorneys, agents, employees or affiliates has acted as a representative of said
Stockholder in the subject transaction; (iii) such Stockholder has substantial
knowledge and experience in financial, investment and business matters, and
specifically in the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and has the
requisite knowledge and experience to evaluate the risks and merits of this
investment; (iv) the decision of such Stockholder to purchase the Securities
hereunder has been made by such Stockholder independent of any other Stockholder
and independent of any statements, disclosures or judgments as to the
properties, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company and its subsidiaries which may have been made or given by any
Stockholder or other person.

          (b)  (i)  the Securities being purchased by such Stockholder hereunder
have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the
"SECURITIES ACT") on the ground that the sales of Securities pursuant to this
Agreement are exempt under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as not
constituting a distribution, and that the Company's reliance on such exemption
is predicated in part on each Stockholder's representation which such
Stockholder herewith makes that the Securities have been acquired solely by and
for the account of such Stockholder for investment purposes only, and are not
being purchased for subdivision, fractionalization, resale or distribution and
other than as expressly set forth in the Operative Documents, such Stockholder
has no contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any other
Stockholder to sell, transfer or pledge to such other Stockholder or anyone else
the Securities (or any part thereof) which such Stockholder has purchased
hereunder, and such Stockholder has no present plans or intentions to enter into
any such contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement; (ii) the Securities
being sold to said Stockholder must be held indefinitely unless they are
subsequently registered under the Securities Act or a transfer is made pursuant
to an exemption from such registration, including, for example, pursuant to Rule
144 thereunder and that except as set forth in the Stockholders Agreement, the
Company has no agreements in respect of registering the Securities under Federal
or state law; and (iii) such Stockholder's financial condition is such that
Stockholder is not under any present necessity or constraint, and does not
foresee in the future any necessity or constraint, to dispose of these shares to
satisfy any existing or contemplated debt or undertaking.

          (c)  In the event that in the future the Company engages in any
negotiation or transaction (including a merger or consolidation or other
reorganization by or of the Company) in which Regulation D promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission may or will be available to the Company, each
of the Stockholders who is not then a professional investor agrees irrevocably
(and with the knowledge and intention that the other holders of the Company's
stock of all classes will rely thereon in making their respective present
investment decisions) that such Stockholder will, within 5 business days of
notice from the Company, which notice may be given in the sole discretion of the
Company, appoint a purchaser's representative or representatives who shall be
qualified and acceptable to the Company and any other person(s) who is (are)
involved in the proposed transaction so that the maximum benefits of Regulation
D shall be available to the Company and all of its Stockholders. Any Stockholder
who does not

                                        5
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perform this covenant shall be liable to the Company and all of the other
Stockholders for any damage or loss that may or might be incurred thereby.

          (d)  Such Stockholder hereby releases Jordan, JZEP, Jordan/Zalaznick
Advisers Inc. and TJC Management and each of their respective partners, members,
principals, directors, officers, representatives, attorneys, agents, employees
and affiliates from and against any claims in respect of each Stockholder's
subscription for the Securities and any related transaction hereunder or under
the Operative Documents.

     6.   LEGEND. All certificates representing shares of Securities shall be
endorsed as follows:

     "THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO, AND IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY UPON COMPLIANCE
WITH, THE PROVISIONS OF A STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, DATED OCTOBER 16, 2001, AMONG
THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENTS, DATED OCTOBER 16,
2001, AMONG THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN INVESTORS THEREIN. REFERENCE ALSO IS MADE TO
THE RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS OF THE COMPANY. A COPY OF THE ABOVE REFERENCED
AGREEMENTS ARE ON FILE AT THE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY, C/O THE JORDAN COMPANY,
LLC, 767 FIFTH AVENUE, 48TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10153.

     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO
AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION, UNDER
SAID ACT."

     Each Stockholder acknowledges to the Company and the other Stockholders
that (i) the effect of such legend, among other things, is or may be to limit or
destroy the value of the certificate for purposes of sale or for use as loan
collateral and that "stop transfer" instructions may be noted against the
Securities sold to such Stockholder hereunder; and (ii) any transfere e of such
Stockholder is required to become a party to the Stockholders Agreement, dated
as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the Company's stockholders
(the "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT") as a condition to acquiring the Securities
hereunder.

     7.   REPURCHASE PROVISIONS.

          (a)  CALL UPON TERMINATION. If the employment by the Company or its
subsidiaries of any Stockholder is terminated at any time then, all or any
portion of the Securities owned by such Stockholder and such Stockholder's
Permitted Transferees under the Stockholders Agreement may be repurchased by the
Company, at the Call Price for the Securities, payable in cash, or, if such cash
payment would constitute a violation, breach or default under any agreement
relating to the indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in Three
Year Junior Notes. The "Call Price" means a price per share determined as of the
date of termination of such Stockholder's employment by the Company or its
subsidiaries by reference to the table below, on the basis of why such
Stockholder's employment was

                                        6
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terminated and how much time has elapsed between the date of this Agreement and
the termination of such Stockholder's employment.

<Table>
<Caption>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               TERMINATION EVENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
                     Column I                Column II               Column III              Column IV
                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     By the Company or       By the Company or its   By the Company or       By the Stockholder
                     its subsidiaries or     subsidiaries for        its subsidiaries        voluntarily, due to
                     the Stockholder         Cause, Material         for any reason not      Retirement, or for
                     upon death, or          Breach or               referred to in          any reason not
                     Disability of the       Unsatisfactory          Columns I and II,       referred to in
                     Stockholder             Performance             for no reason or by     Columns I, II and
                                                                     the Stockholder for     III
                                                                     Good Reason

Before 1st           Fair Market Value       Cost                    Cost                    Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 1st      Fair Market Value       Cost                    30% X Adjusted Fair     Cost
anniversary, but                                                     Market Value + 70%
before second                                                        X Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 2nd      Fair Market Value       Cost                    60% X Adjusted Fair     Cost
anniversary, but                                                     Market Value + 40%
before 3rd                                                           X Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 3rd      Fair Market Value       Cost                    Adjusted Fair           Fair Market Value
anniversary hereof                                                   Market Value
</Table>

     To exercise the foregoing call rights, the Company must notify such
Stockholder of its exercise of such call rights in writing within six months of
the date of termination of such Stockholder. In the event that the termination
of such Stockholder relates to circumstances involving Cause, Material Breach or
Unsatisfactory Performance, then the Company's call rights under SECTION 7(a)
will take precedence over and supersede any Stockholder put rights pursuant to
SECTION 7(b) hereunder.

          (b)  STOCKHOLDER PUT RIGHTS. If the employment by the Company or its
subsidiaries of any Stockholder is terminated at any time, then the Stockholder
(or, solely in the case of death, the person or persons to whom such
Stockholder's rights with respect to the Securities shall have lawfully passed
by will or by applicable law) may, cause the Company to repurchase any or all of
the Securities owned by such Stockholder and by all of the Stockholder's
Permitted Transferees under the Stockholders Agreement at the Put Price for the
Securities, payable in cash, or, if such cash payment would constitute a
violation, breach or default under any agreement relating to the indebtedness of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in Three Year Junior Notes. The "Put
Price" means a price per share determined as of the date of termination of such
Stockholder's employment by the Company or its subsidiaries by reference

                                        7
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to the table below, on the basis of why such Stockholder's employment was
terminated and how much time has elapsed between the date of this Agreement and
the date of the termination of such Stockholder's employment.

<Table>
<Caption>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               TERMINATION EVENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
                     Column I                Column II               Column III              Column IV
                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     By the Company or its   By the Company or its   By the Company or its   By the Stockholder
                     subsidiaries or by      subsidiaries for        subsidiaries due to     voluntarily, due to
                     the Stockholder upon    Cause, Material         any reason not          Retirement, for any
                     death, or Disability    Breach or               referred to in Column   reason not referred
                     of the Stockholder      Unsatisfactory          I other than for        to in Columns I and
                                             Performance             Cause, Material         III or for no reason
                                                                     Breach or               and the Company or
                                                                     Unsatisfactory          its subsidiaries
                                                                     Performance or by the   would not otherwise
                                                                     Stockholder for Good    have a right to
                                                                     Reason                  terminate the
                                                                                             Stockholder's
                                                                                             employment for Cause,
                                                                                             Material Breach or
                                                                                             Unsatisfactory
                                                                                             Performance

Before 1st           Fair Market Value       Cost                    Cost                    Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 1st      Fair Market Value       Cost                    30% x Adjusted Fair     Cost
anniversary, but                                                     Market Value + 70% x
before second                                                        Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 2nd      Fair Market Value       Cost                    60% X Adjusted Fair     Cost
anniversary, but                                                     Market Value + 40% X
before 3rd                                                           Cost
anniversary hereof

On or after 3rd      Fair Market Value       Cost                    Adjusted Fair Market    Fair Market Value
anniversary hereof                                                   Value
</Table>

     To exercise the foregoing put rights, the Stockholder or such persons who
may exercise the put must notify the Company of its or their exercise of such
put rights within six months following termination. In the event that the
termination of the Stockholder relates to circumstances involving Cause,
Material Breach or Unsatisfactory Performance, then the Company's call rights
under SECTION 7(a) will take precedence over and supersede any Stockholder put
rights hereunder.

          (c)  PAYMENT OF NOTES; RIGHT OF SET-OFF. The Company, in addition to
any other rights or remedies available to the Company, shall be entitled to
set-off and reduce any amounts payable to a Stockholder upon the repurchase of
Securities pursuant to this SECTION 7 for (i) any obligations or liabilities of
such Stockholder to the Company or its subsidiaries or (ii) any claims by the
Company against such Stockholder under this Agreement or any other agreement,
written or oral, between the Company and such Stockholder, in each case, after
such obligation, liability or claim becomes a final decision of a court of
competent jurisdiction which is not subject to appeal.

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          (d)  EXPIRATION OF REPURCHASE OPTION. If the repurchase call rights
set forth in SECTIONS 7(a) or the repurchase put rights set forth in SECTIONS
7(b) are not exercised within six months of termination of employment of a
Stockholder, such call rights and put rights will expire. This SECTION 7 shall
terminate upon (i) the effectiveness of an initial bona fide, firm commitment
underwritten public offering of any shares of Securities for which the aggregate
purchase price of the Securities sold is in excess of $25 million or (ii) the
consummation of a Change of Control.

          (e)  RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Agreement, all repurchases pursuant to this
SECTION 7, including issuances of and payments by the Company on, the Three Year
Junior Notes, shall be subject to (i) applicable restrictions contained in any
applicable law, (ii) restrictions contained in the Company's and its
subsidiaries' debt and equity financing agreements, including the Credit
Agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, and any Senior
Indebtedness (as defined in the Three Year Junior Notes) and (iii) the
availability of cash to make any lump sum cash payments. If any such
restrictions or unavailability prohibit the repurchase of Securities or other
capital stock of the Company hereunder which the Company is otherwise entitled
or required to make, the Company may make such repurchases as soon as it is
permitted to do so under such restrictions.

          (f)  In the event the Company makes payments in cash pursuant to the
provisions of SECTION 7, such payments will be made within 90 days of the date
of the put or call, as the case may be. In the event that the Company makes
payments in Three Year Junior Notes, such notes will be executed and delivered
within 90 days of the date of the put or call, as the case may be.

     8.   NON-COMPETITION/NON-DISCLOSURE PROVISIONS.

          (a)  NON-COMPETITION. In consideration of this Agreement, each
Stockholder covenants and agrees that during the Restricted Period, if requested
by the Company in writing, such Stockholder shall not, without the express
written approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, directly or
indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, manage, operate, control,
invest or acquire an interest in, whether as a proprietor, partner, stockholder,
member, lender, director, officer, employee, joint venturer, investor, lessor,
supplier, customer, agent, representative or other participant, or otherwise
engage or participate in, whether as a proprietor, partner, stockholder, member,
lender, director, officer, employee, joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier,
customer, agent, representative or other participant, any business which
competes, directly or indirectly, with the Business in the Market ("COMPETITIVE
BUSINESS") without regard to (A) whether the Competitive Business has its
office, manufacturing or other business facilities within or without the Market,
(B) whether any of the activities of the Stockholder referred to above occur or
are performed within or without the Market or (C) whether the Stockholder
resides, or reports to an office, within or without the Market; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (x) the Stockholder may, anywhere in the Market, directly or
indirectly, in one or a series of transactions, own, invest or acquire an
interest in up to five percent (5%) of the capital stock of a corporation whose
capital stock is traded publicly, or that (y) such Stockholder may accept
employment with a successor company to the Company.

                                        9
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          (b)  In consideration of this Agreement, each Stockholder covenants
and agrees that during the period such Stockholder is an officer, director or
employee of the Company or its subsidiaries and for the Restricted Period, such
Stockholder shall not (A) directly or indirectly, in one or a series of
transactions, recruit, solicit or otherwise induce or influence any proprietor,
partner, stockholder, member, lender, director, officer, employee, sales agent,
joint venturer, investor, lessor, supplier, agent, representative or any other
person which has a business relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries or
had a business relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries within the
twenty-four (24) month period preceding the date of the incident in question, to
discontinue, reduce or modify such employment, agency or business relationship
with the Company or its subsidiaries, or (B) employ or seek to employ or cause
any Competitive Business to employ or seek to employ any person or agent who is
then (or was at any time within six (6) months prior to the date such
Stockholder or the Competitive Business employs or seeks to employ such person)
employed or retained by the Company or its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent such Stockholder from providing a letter
of recommendation to an employee with respect to a future employment
opportunity.

          (c)  NON-DISCLOSURE. Each Stockholder further agrees that such
Stockholder will not, directly or indirectly in one or a series of transactions
disclose to any person or use or otherwise exploit for such Stockholder's own
benefit or for the benefit of anyone other than the Company or its subsidiaries
any Confidential Information (as defined below) whether prepared by such
Stockholder or not provided, however, that any Confidential Information may be
disclosed to officers, representatives, employees and agents of the Company or
its subsidiaries who need to know such Confidential Information in order to
perform the services or conduct the operations required or expected of them in
the Business. Each Stockholder shall use his best efforts to prevent the removal
of any Confidential Information from the premises of the Company or its
subsidiaries, except as required in his normal course of employment by the
Company or its subsidiaries. Each Stockholder shall use such Stockholder's
commercially reasonable efforts to cause all persons or entities to whom
Confidential Information shall be disclosed by such Stockholder hereunder to
observe the terms and conditions set forth herein as though each such person or
entity was bound hereby. Each Stockholder shall have no obligation hereunder to
keep confidential any Confidential Information if and to the extent disclosure
of any thereof is specifically required by law; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in the
event disclosure is required by applicable law, such Stockholder shall provide
the Company with prompt notice of such requirement, prior to making any
disclosure, so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order. At the
request of the Company, each Stockholder agrees to deliver to the Company all
Confidential Information which such Stockholder may possess or control. Each
Stockholder agrees that all Confidential Information of the Company and its
subsidiaries (whether now or hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made
by him during his employment with the Company or its subsidiaries exclusively
belongs to the Company and its subsidiaries (and not to such Stockholder). Each
Stockholder will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to the Company
and its subsidiaries and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company
and its subsidiaries to establish and confirm such exclusive ownership. As used
herein, the term "Confidential Information" means any confidential information
including, without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software storage
media or other compilation of information, patent, patent application,
copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, service name, "know-how", trade
secrets, customer lists, details of client or

                                       10
<Page>

consultant contracts, pricing policies, operational methods, marketing plans or
strategies, product development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans
or any portion or phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas,
discoveries, designs, computer programs (including source of object codes),
processes, procedures, formulas, improvements or other proprietary or
intellectual property of the Company or its subsidiaries, whether or not in
written or tangible form, and whether or not registered, and including all
files, records, manuals, books, catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans,
reports, records, documents and other evidence thereof. The term "CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION" does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with
respect to, information that becomes generally available to the public other
than as a result of a disclosure by such Stockholder not permissible hereunder.

          (d)  NON-DISPARAGEMENT. During and after each Stockholder's employment
with the Company or its subsidiaries, each Stockholder agrees that he shall not
make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about the Company or its
subsidiaries or the officers or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries.
During and after each Stockholder's employment with the Company or its
subsidiaries, the Company agrees on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries that
neither the officers nor the directors of the Company or its subsidiaries shall
make any false, defamatory or disparaging statements about such Stockholder.

          (e)  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. All the parties hereto agree that their
rights under this SECTION 8 are special and unique and that violation thereof
would not be adequately compensated by money damages and each grants the others
the right to specifically enforce (including injunctive relief where
appropriate) the terms of this Agreement.

     9.   DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context
requires otherwise:

          (a)  "ADJUSTED FAIR MARKET VALUE" means for each share of the
Securities, the greater of (A) an amount equal to Cost; or (B) an amount equal
to (y) (i) eighty percent (80%) of the Statutory Surplus of Safety Insurance
Company as of the end of the Company's prior fiscal quarter LESS (ii) the
aggregate amount of all indebtedness or capitalized leases of the Company and
its subsidiaries (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement)
immediately prior to the call or put date (including, without limitation,
interest accrued but unpaid immediately prior to the call date, all determined
in accordance with GAAP LESS (iii) the aggregate amount of the liquidation value
of all preferred stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the call
or put date, including accrued but unpaid dividends, all determined in
accordance with GAAP; divided by (z) the aggregate number of shares of
Securities issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of the date the
Stockholder's employment with the Company or its subsidiaries is terminated. For
this purpose, "FULLY-DILUTED BASIS" shall assume the full exercise of all
options, warrants, calls and other similar securities and the full conversion
(if dilutive) of all convertible stock, notes or other convertible securities,
among other things.

          (b)  "BUSINESS" means any business conducted by or engaged in by the
Company or its subsidiaries, or proposed to be conducted by or engaged in by the
Company or its subsidiaries on or prior to the date hereof or at any time while
a Stockholder is a stockholder of the Company.

                                       11
<Page>

          (c)  "CAUSE" means any of the following:

               (i)   a Stockholder's commission or conviction of any crime or
criminal offense involving monies or other property, or felony;

               (ii)  a Stockholder's commission or conviction of fraud or
embezzlement;

               (iii) a Stockholder's material and knowing violation of any
obligations imposed upon such Stockholder, personally, as opposed to upon the
Company or its subsidiaries, whether as a stockholder or otherwise, under this
Agreement, his employment agreement or the Operative Documents; PROVIDED, that
such Stockholder has been given written notice describing any such violation in
reasonable detail and fails to cure the violation within 90 days from such
notice; or

               (iv)  a Stockholder engages in egregious misconduct involving
serious moral turpitude to the extent that such Stockholder's credibility and
reputation no longer conform to the standard of the Company's or its
subsidiaries executives.

          (d)  "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means any of the following: (i) the closing
of any merger, combination, consolidation or similar business transaction
involving the Company in which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to
such closing are not the holders, directly or indirectly, of a majority of the
ordinary voting securities of the surviving person in such transaction
immediately after such closing, (ii) the closing of any sale or transfer by the
Company of all or substantially all of its assets to an acquiring person in
which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not the
holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of the acquiring person
immediately after such closings, or (iii) the closing of any sale by the holders
of Common Stock of an amount of Common Stock that equals or exceeds a majority
of the shares of Common Stock immediately prior to such closing to a person in
which the holders of the Common Stock immediately prior to such closing are not
the holders of a majority of the ordinary voting securities of such person
immediately after such closing.

          (e)  "COST" means (i) prior to the first anniversary of this
Agreement, the initial subscription price per share for the shares of Common
Stock at the time of subscription under this Agreement; (ii) on or after the
first anniversary, but prior to the second anniversary of this Agreement, a
price per share equal to the quotient of (x) $12.75 million divided by (y) the
aggregate number of shares of Securities (other than the Restricted Shares)
issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of the date hereof; (iii) on
or after the second anniversary, but prior to the third anniversary of this
Agreement, a price per share equal to the quotient of (x) $25.50 million divided
by (y) the aggregate number of shares of Securities (other than the Restricted
Shares) issued and outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of the date hereof;
and (iv) on or after the third anniversary of this Agreement, or
(notwithstanding the foregoing subsections (i), (ii), and (iii)) at any time
after the initial subscription under this Agreement if the employment of the
Stockholder by the Company is terminated upon the death or Disability of the
Stockholder, by the Company or its subsidiaries for any reason other than Cause,
Material Breach, or Unsatisfactory Performance, or by the Stockholder for Good
Reason, a price per share

                                       12
<Page>

equal to the quotient of (x) $42.50 million divided by (y) the aggregate number
of shares of Securities (other than the Restricted Shares) issued and
outstanding on a fully-diluted basis as of the date hereof. For this purpose,
"FULLY-DILUTED BASIS" shall assume the full exercise of all options, warrants,
calls and other similar securities and the full conversion (if dilutive) of all
convertible stock, notes or other convertible securities, among other things.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the "Cost" of the Restricted Shares shall at all
times be zero (0).

          (f)  "DISABILITY" means due to physical or mental disability any
Stockholder is unable to perform, and does not perform, such Stockholder's
duties as an employee of the Company and its subsidiaries (i) for a continuous
period of 180 days or (ii) at such earlier time as such Stockholder submits
satisfactory medical evidence that such Stockholder has a physical or mental
disability which will likely prevent him from returning to work within 180 days.
Determination of Disability shall be made in the reasonable judgment of the
Board of Directors. In the event of any inconsistency between the definition of
disability herein and the definition of such term in any employment agreement
between the Stockholder and the Company then in effect, the definition of such
term in such employment agreement shall control for purposes of this Agreement.

          (g)  "EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT GROUP" shall mean the management
signatories to this Agreement (including by execution of a counterpart to this
Agreement) or a restricted stock agreement issued pursuant to the Restricted
Stock Plan.

          (h)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means for each share of the Securities, the
greater of (A) an amount equal to Cost; or (B) an amount equal to (y) (i) sixty
percent (60%) of the Statutory Surplus of Safety Insurance Company as of the end
of the Company's prior fiscal quarter LESS (ii) the aggregate amount of all
indebtedness or capitalized leases of the Company and its subsidiaries
(including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) immediately prior to the
call or put date (including, without limitation, interest accrued but unpaid
immediately prior to the call date, all determined in accordance with GAAP LESS
(iii) the aggregate amount of the liquidation value of all preferred stock of
the Company outstanding immediately prior to the call or put date, including
accrued but unpaid dividends, all determined in accordance with GAAP; divided by
(z) the aggregate number of shares of Securities issued and outstanding on a
fully-diluted basis as of the date the Stockholder's employment with the Company
or its subsidiaries is terminated. For this purpose, "FULLY-DILUTED BASIS" shall
assume the full exercise of all options, warrants, calls and other similar
securities and the full conversion (if dilutive) of all convertible stock, notes
or other convertible securities, among other things.

          (i)  "GAAP" means the generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America in effect from time to time, applied on a consistent
basis both as to classification of items and amounts.

          (j)  "GOOD REASON" means as a result of material reduction in
Stockholder's perquisites, position or responsibilities (other than such a
reduction in perquisites which affects all of the Company's or its subsidiaries'
senior executives on a substantially equal or proportionate basis), the
relocation of the Company's or its Subsidiaries' primary place of business or
the relocation of the Stockholder by the Company or its subsidiaries to another
Company or subsidiary office more than 75 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, or
the

                                       13
<Page>

Company's willful, material violation of its obligations under this Agreement,
in each case, after 60 days' prior written notice to the Company and its Board
of Directors and the Company's failure thereafter to cure such reduction or
violation.

          (k)  "MARKET" means any county in the United States of America and
each similar jurisdiction in any other country in which the Business was
conducted by or engaged in by the Company or its subsidiaries on or prior to the
date hereof or is conducted or engaged in, or in which the Company or its
subsidiaries is seeking authorization to conduct Business, at any time during
the Stockholders employment by the Company or its subsidiaries.

          (l)  "MATERIAL BREACH" means:

               (i)   Stockholder's breach of any of such Stockholder's fiduciary
duties to the Company, its subsidiaries or its stockholders or making of a
willful misrepresentation or omission which breach, misrepresentation or
omission would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the
business, properties, assets, condition (financial or other) or prospects of the
Company or its subsidiaries;

               (ii)  Stockholder's willful, continual and material neglect or
failure to discharge such Stockholder's duties, responsibilities or obligations
prescribed by this Agreement or of any other agreement between the Company or
its subsidiaries or by the Company (other than arising solely due to physical or
mental disability);

               (iii) Stockholder's habitual drunkenness or substance abuse which
materially interferes with such Stockholder's ability to discharge such
Stockholder's duties, responsibilities or obligations prescribed by the Company
or its subsidiaries;

               (iv)  Stockholder's violation of any non-competition,
non-disparagement or confidentiality agreement with the Company or its
subsidiaries, including without limitation, those set forth in SECTION 8 of this
Agreement, or any other agreements with the Company or its subsidiaries; and

               (v)   Stockholder's gross neglect of such Stockholder's duties
and responsibilities, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors;

     in each case, for purposes of clauses (i) through (v), after the Company or
the Board of Directors has provided such Stockholder with 60 days' written
notice of such circumstances and the possibility of a Material Breach in
reasonable detail, and such Stockholder fails to cure such circumstances and
Material Breach within those 60 days. No act or omission shall be deemed gross
neglect if done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by such Stockholder based
upon a resolution duly adopted by the Company's Board of Directors.

          (m)  "RESTRICTED PERIOD" means, with respect to any Stockholder, the
Restricted Period under and as defined in such Stockholder's employment
agreement with Safety Insurance Company.

                                       14
<Page>

          (n)  "RETIREMENT" shall mean any voluntary termination of employment
by a Stockholder for any reason other than Death, Disability, Cause, Material
Breach or Unsatisfactory Performance after such Stockholder reaches age 65.

          (o)  "SALE", "SELL", "TRANSFER" and the like shall include any
disposition by way of transfer, with or without consideration, to any person for
any purpose and shall include, but shall not be limited in any way to,
redemption by the issuer, private or public sale or exchanges of securities or
any other similar transaction involving stock.

          (p)  "STATUTORY SURPLUS" means the surplus as regards policyholders as
reflected in the Statutory Financial Statements of Safety Insurance Company,
Inc.

          (q)  "THREE YEAR JUNIOR NOTES" means a promissory note of the Company
in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT 5.

          (r)  "UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE" means a Stockholder's failure to
perform Stockholder's duties to the standards set by the Board of Directors
(such determination to be made in the good faith by the Board of Directors);
PROVIDED, that Stockholder has been given notice and 30 days from such notice
fails to cure such unsatisfactory performance.

     10.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a)  Subject to the conditions of transfer of Securities hereunder and
in the Stockholders Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of each individual Stockholder and such Stockholder's
respective heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and legal representatives
and to the Company and its respective successors and assigns, by way of merger,
consolidation or operation of law or otherwise. Once a Stockholder is no longer
a stockholder of the Company all rights and benefits (but not the obligations)
previously enjoyed by such party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall
automatically terminate with respect to such party.

          (b)  Prior to consummation of any transfer of Securities held by a
Stockholder permitted under the Stockholders Agreement, except for transfers
pursuant to a public offering, such party shall cause the transferee to execute
an agreement in which the transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement.

          (c)  Each Stockholder acknowledges that the Company may purchase, at
its sole expense, a life insurance policy, the proceeds of which will be used to
purchase Stockholder's Securities in the event of Stockholder's death and each
Stockholder hereby agrees to cooperate with the Company in obtaining such
insurance.

          (d)  Nothing in this Agreement shall constitute an agreement by, or
shall impose any obligation upon, the Company or its subsidiaries to employ, or
to continue to employ, any Stockholder, or shall constitute an agreement by, or
shall impose any obligation upon, the Company or its subsidiaries with respect
to the terms and conditions of employment of any Stockholder, and will not limit
or restrict, in any manner, the Company's or its subsidiaries' right or ability
to terminate any Stockholder.

                                       15
<Page>

          (e)  The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no
rule of strict construction will be applied against any person.

          (f)  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED, APPLIED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IN THE EVENT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS
AGREEMENT, THE NON-BREACHING PARTY WOULD BE IRREPARABLY HARMED AND COULD NOT BE
MADE WHOLE BY MONETARY DAMAGES, AND THAT, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDY TO
WHICH THEY MAY BE ENTITLED AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, THE PARTIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO
SUCH EQUITABLE OR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE. EACH PARTY AGREES
THAT JURISDICTION AND VENUE MAY BE IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND
WAIVES ANY OBJECTIONS BASED UPON FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH PARTY WAIVES
PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND AGREES THAT A SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT COMMENCING
AN ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE PROPERLY SERVED AND SHALL CONFER PERSONAL
JURISDICTION IF SERVED BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL TO THE PARTY AT THE
ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE OR THE UNITED STATES. THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS
SECTION 11(g) SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT
OBTAINED IN ANY OTHER FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO
ENFORCE SAME IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.

          (g)  Each of the Stockholders agrees and acknowledges that the
Operative Documents and any other agreement or instrument that may restrict the
ability of the Company to make any dividend or redemption payments may be
created, amended, modified or supplemented, from time to time, and may be
refinanced, extended or substituted, from time to time, without notice to, or
the consent or approval of, the Stockholders.

          (h)  All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in
masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders if the
context so requires; the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa.

          (i)  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument. If the requirements of this Agreement have
otherwise been met, new Stockholders may become parties to this Agreement by
executing a counterpart to this Agreement at which time the Company shall revise
the Exhibits as may be necessary or appropriate.

          (j)  In case any one or more of the provisions or parts of a provision
contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a
provision of this Agreement or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall
be reformed and construed in any such jurisdiction as if such invalid or illegal
or

                                       16
<Page>

unenforceable provision or part of a provision had never been contained herein
and such provision or part shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal
and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction.

          (k)  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement by and among the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be modified
orally, but only by a writing subscribed by the party charged therewith.

          (l)  Each of the parties hereto agrees to execute all such further
instruments and documents and to take all such further action as are necessary
to effectuate the terms and purposes of this Agreement.

          (m)  Whenever notice is required to be given by any party hereunder,
such notice shall be deemed sufficient when delivered to the Company at its
address above and to each of the other Stockholders at such Stockholder's
address below or to such other address as the Stockholder shall have furnished
to the Company.

          (n)  Each party shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon any notice
received, or the failure to receive any notice, from any other party with
respect to rights and obligations under this Agreement.

     11.  RECEIPT OF STOCK CERTIFICATES.

     Each Stockholder herewith acknowledges receipt of the certificate(s)
evidencing the Securities purchased by Stockholder.

                                       17
<Page>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has signed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.


                                         SAFETY HOLDINGS, INC.


                                         By:  /s/A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:   A. Richard Caputo, Jr.
                                              Title:  Vice President


                                         MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS:


                                         /s/David F. Brussard
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         David F.  Brussard


                                         /s/Edward J. Patrick, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Edward J. Patrick, Jr.


                                         /s/William J. Begley, Jr.
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         William J. Begley, Jr.


                                         /s/Daniel F. Crimmins
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Daniel F. Crimmins


                                         /s/Robert J. Kerton
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Robert J. Kerton


                                         /s/David E. Krupa
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         David E. Krupa


                                         /s/Daniel D. Loranger
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Daniel D. Loranger

                                       18