Q: Tell me about your job
A: I manage Linetec’s safety program. Sending our associates home safely at the end of their shifts and keeping the company in compliance is the goal. To accomplish this I am extensively involved in the development of safety programs, equipment and process modifications, incident trending and prevention, incident reporting and investigation, safety awareness, safety training, financial investment, risk assessment, audits and attainment of safety objectives.
Q: What did you do prior to Linetec?
A: Working in a manufacturing environment has comprised my entire professional career. I have held the positions of production supervisor, plant manager and safety manager. I find it interesting that each company I have worked for was involved with windows to a certain degree, including window treatments, wood and vinyl window fabrication, and architectural finishing.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Having worked at Linetec for nearly 16 years, I no longer consider coming here each day to be a job. Keeping our associates safe has become more of a mission. Linetec maintains a safety culture that is truly one of the best I have ever seen. Being part of it is what I find most rewarding. We have a good thing here!
Q: What poses the biggest challenges for you?
A: Looking into that crystal ball. Trying to figure out and prevent that next significant incident or injury. Fortunately, as of late, our associates have made that part of my world much easier. The best safety device in the world is a safe worker and we have a lot of them.
Q: Are there any safety issues or recurring trends that you are seeing more of lately?
A: Fortunately, Linetec safety trending as of late has been very positive. After averaging an incident rate of 2.6 for five years, rates have dropped to 0.86 in 2017 and we’re currently at 0.43 so far through 2018. If you look at our current incident graphing, you will see we need to concentrate on hand, arm and wrist injuries. Some back strains in there as well.
Q: What is something you are looking forward to?
A: I really love to hunt and fish. To me there is nothing more peaceful than an evening in the bow stand or an early morning out on a lake. I try to go on a hunting or fishing trip each year. Those are the things I look forward to.
Q: What is something people don’t know about you?
A: I am a big nostalgic rock junkie. I love 70’s and 80’s bands.
Q: If Linetec gave you a surprise three day paid break to rest and recuperate, what would you do with those three days?
A: I would go up to the family cabin in Tomahawk and chill.
Q: What always cheers you up when you think about it?
A: Grandchildren are now a part of my life. I find it amazing how just looking at a picture of them can brighten up any day. A co-worker once scolded me for having the pictures of those kids behind me on my file cabinet. She said, “Set those pictures on the window sill right in front of your nose.” Those were great words of advice!
