THE GANTREX "INTRODUCING" SERIES #24
“When safety is ingrained in our culture, it naturally aligns with our productivity goals.”
As a world class American football player, Andre Freeman, Safety Manager, believes that lessons learnt on and off the field have helped him create a winning strategy for Gantrex’s safety ambitions that firmly places the organization at the top of the table.
Read on to hear how Andre uses his skills and insights from the field and translates them into ‘match-fit’ safety programs for our North American operations.
With your early career in professional football, my first question must be, what drew you to a career in safety management?
It’s not as crazy as it sounds! During my career in football, I was always the leader or captain in every one of the teams I was involved with. In these positions, safety was always a key part of my role, making sure that the team played in a safe way and that we minimized any injuries or accidents that would affect the team’s ability to perform at its optimum and succeed. So, it seemed a natural next step, when I went to college to find that safety management had many similarities and areas where my experience as a sports professional aligned with the wider remit of safety in the corporate world.
One such area is the inevitability of adversity or obstacles that can derail a team’s progress toward achieving its goals. Throughout my football career, reaching the highest level in the world required me to find ways to overcome adversity and unite people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities to align with a common team goal. Having successfully done this in football, I am excited about the impact I can make in this area for Gantrex. Building a successful safety culture and strategy is all about bringing people, functions and processes together. No different really from ensuring that players on the field, support teams and fans are all aligned with a common goal. And critically, thinking about all aspects of safety is key.
Often, we think about physical safety on site, but what about mental health and neuro-diverse needs of colleagues, customers, contractors? Does this fall within your safety remit?
Absolutely, mental health and the needs of neuro-diverse colleagues, customers, and contractors are fundamental aspects of a well-rounded and comprehensive safety strategy. Gantrex is very much an organization that recognizes that safety extends beyond physical health to include psychological and emotional well-being and that’s one of the reasons that I am fully supported to build out the safety function here.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all individuals can thrive. This involves implementing mental health programs, offering resources and support for stress management, promoting awareness, and providing appropriate adjustments tailored to the neuro-diverse needs of our teams. Creating a sustainable safety strategy and a safe workplace means addressing all aspects of health and safety, and I am dedicated to leading initiatives that support the holistic well-being of everyone on our sites.
It’s said that you are a champion of transparency and collaboration when it comes to safety. How does this present itself in terms of reporting and planning for projects?
Championing transparency and collaboration in safety can be seen in several ways throughout our reporting and project planning processes.
Firstly, we encourage open dialogue among all team members, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable reporting safety concerns or incidents without fear of reprisal. Next, we hold regular safety meetings where team members can share insights, discuss potential hazards, and collaboratively develop strategies to mitigate risks. To support this, our reporting systems are designed to be user-friendly and accessible, allowing for detailed documentation of safety incidents, near misses, and potential hazards.
Another example is seen during project planning activities, where we include representatives from all relevant departments to ensure that diverse perspectives are considered. This collaborative approach helps identify and address potential safety issues early in the planning stage.
And to ensure that our strategy is fit for purpose we have a continuous feedback loop where safety practices and policies are regularly reviewed and updated based on input from employees, and contractors. This ensures that our safety protocols evolve in line with best practices and real-world experiences.
In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing workplace safety today, and how do you plan to address them?
For me, it’s got to be around the integration of mental health and well-being into traditional safety programs. Many workplaces are well-equipped to handle physical safety, but the mental and emotional aspects often receive less attention. To address this, we are expanding our safety protocols to include mental health resources, stress management programs, and support for neuro-diverse employees.
Another significant challenge is adapting to rapidly changing technologies and ensuring that our safety practices keep pace. This includes training our team on the latest safety equipment and procedures, as well as using data analytics to identify and mitigate potential hazards before they become issues.
And finally, fostering a culture of safety is paramount. This involves continuous education and engagement with our team to prioritize safety in every aspect of their work. By promoting open communication and encouraging reporting of unsafe conditions, we aim to create an environment where safety is everyone’s responsibility.
How do you plan to engage and collaborate with other teams within Gantrex to ensure safety remains a top priority across the organization?
I plan to use a multi-faceted approach. First, I want to establish regular communication channels, such as safety meetings and cross-departmental workshops, to foster a collaborative culture where safety is a shared responsibility.
I will also implement an open-door policy, encouraging all employees to voice their safety concerns and suggestions. This approach ensures that everyone feels heard and involved in our safety initiatives.
Integrating safety into daily operations is another critical step. By working closely with team leaders across departments, we can identify specific safety needs and tailor our programs accordingly. This includes customized training sessions, real-time safety updates, and leveraging technology for better monitoring and reporting.
And celebrating safety milestones and recognizing employees who demonstrate a commitment to safety will help reinforce the importance of safety in our workplace culture. By engaging everyone and promoting a proactive stance on safety, we can collectively ensure a safer working environment at Gantrex.
How do you plan to balance the need for safety with maintaining productivity and efficiency in Gantrex and on-site?
Fostering a safety culture where every employee feels responsible for their own safety and that of their colleagues encourages a collaborative environment. When safety is ingrained in our culture, it naturally aligns with our productivity goals.
My approach involves integrating safety seamlessly into our workflows, so it becomes a natural part of our daily operations rather than a separate or disruptive process. `We will implement comprehensive training programs that emphasize safe work practices while also enhancing skills and efficiency. By equipping our team with the right knowledge and tools, we can prevent accidents and minimize downtime. I also plan to leverage technology and data analytics to identify potential hazards early and implement preventative measures. This proactive approach helps maintain a smooth workflow without compromising safety. Finally, continuous improvement through feedback loops will ensure we can adapt and refine our processes. Regularly reviewing safety protocols and incorporating employee feedback helps us find innovative ways to enhance both safety and efficiency.
And finally, how do you ensure that everyone takes responsibility for safety in day-to-day operations?
We will do this collectively, creating a culture where safety is a shared value and priority. To achieve this, we will focus on five strategies:
We will provide comprehensive training programs that not only cover safety protocols but also emphasize the importance of individual responsibility. This ensures that every employee understands their role in maintaining a safe workplace.
We’re establishing open and transparent communication channels allowing employees to voice their concerns and share safety-related observations. Regular safety meetings and briefings will keep everyone informed and engaged.
I will lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to safety in all my actions and encourage other leaders and managers to do the same, helping to reinforce the message throughout the organization.
We will recognize and reward employees who consistently demonstrate safe practices and contribute to a safer work environment. At the same time, we will hold everyone accountable for adhering to safety standards, ensuring that lapses are addressed promptly and constructively.
And finally, we will look to empower employees to take ownership of their safety and the safety of their colleagues, fostering a sense of collective responsibility. As an organization, we will provide the necessary tools and resources to enable them to identify and mitigate risks proactively.
My ambition is to develop a culture of safety through education, communication, leadership, recognition, and empowerment. If we can do this collectively, as an organization and through our partners and supply chains, we can ensure that every member of the Gantrex team takes responsibility for maintaining a safe and productive work environment, that ultimately benefits and protects everyone.