Creating a safety culture: In conversation with RME’s Global HSE Manager

In the high-risk world of manufacturing, safety can’t just be a guideline. At RME, it's a fundamental culture that permeates every aspect of our operations.

For Alfonso Munoz, RME’s Global Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Manager, safety is deeply personal. His passion for people shines through his unwavering dedication to ensuring the wellbeing of both employees and Customers. 

His insights into the strategies, challenges and importance of building a deep safety culture globally, provide valuable insights into how RME prioritises safety, above all else.

A people-centric approach

Alfonso’s dedication to safety is grounded in his commitment to people. He takes pride in motivating, educating, and mentoring individuals to understand the critical nature of safety. 

This dedication helps ensure that everyone at RME goes home safely to their loved ones, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its workforce and their families.

Navigating diversity and change

RME’s diverse workforce means a one-size-fits-all approach to safety doesn’t apply.

Every new employee participates in a comprehensive induction supported by a robust learning management system. This ensures that all employees, regardless of background and experience level, have the opportunity to achieve a deep understanding of RME’s vital safety protocols and procedures.

“A new starter may not be aware of the hazards that exist in our work environment, and we have to induct them into the workplace so they understand what hazards exist, how to control them, what happens in an emergency, how to keep themselves safe, or how to keep their co-workers safe,” Alfonso explains. 

New ways of doing things, including new technology can introduce new hazards so it’s not just new employees that require education. “Just because you’ve been here a long time doesn’t mean that you can’t learn more about safety,” Alfonso declares. With the introduction of new technologies like THUNDERBOLT SKYPORT and THUNDERBOLT SKYWAY, even the most experienced workers must stay updated on evolving safety standards and practices.

Navigating changes in safety standards and regulations also presents challenges for Alfonso. "Change is a very tricky thing. Generally, people don't like change," he acknowledges. Recent developments, such as the new welding fume standard introduced by the Australian Government, is one example Alfonso highlights. This standard requires the use of advanced protective equipment, like ADFLOWs (Powered Airflow Devices).

Communicating the importance of and drivers for change is crucial to successful change management.

Investment in safety

Amongst a wide range of indicators, RME’s commitment to safety is evident in its significant investment in both systems and personnel. 
RME’s cloud-based safety management system, myosh, allows the company to track safety performance and leading indicators effectively. This system has streamlined processes, making safety protocols more accessible and record keeping easier. “It’s helping to improve our processes and efficiency, and most importantly, our safety, because it’s keeping it front of mind by making it more accessible and easier,” Alfonso states.

"We've also invested a lot in training to support the use of the new system. Our Take-Time Talks, Take-5 Risk Assessments and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) can all be done electronically," Alfonso added. 

Creating a trustworthy environment

At the core of RME's safety culture is a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. This philosophy encourages employees to report safety concerns without fear of repercussions. "Our philosophy is to always report first," Alfonso notes. By addressing issues head-on, RME ensures that safety is continually improved. 

RME’s Health and Safety Representatives play a crucial role in this process, helping to identify potential risks. Then, as part of RME’s Safety Committee, they develop improvements and solutions. It’s a collaborative approach to safety. "Using the hierarchy of risk control to eliminate those risks or make improvements, we put controls in place and remove people from the line of fire," Alfonso explains.

Walking the talk

“At RME, creating a safety culture isn’t just talk. A safety focus is embedded––in the way we think and the way we work. You can see it in practice at our own sites and in the way our teams work on Customer sites,” Alfonso states.  
 

By embedding safety into the fabric of its operations, in addition to its purpose, RME not only sets a high standard for the industry but ensures its employees are protected, valued and able to return home safely every day.