We chatted to Lindo to find out more about her journey as a woman in the Health and Safety Industry. Here is what she had to say:
1. What role do you play within the Health and Safety Industry?
My role is to ensure that the company’s safety program adheres to the legal requirements necessary to create a safe working environment, and then continually measuring compliance. I work with the team of product experts at Dromex to ensure that we have the correct workwear and PPE specified for the environment and to ensure the safety of the team.
2. What does it mean for you as a woman to be in the Health and Safety Industry?
Health and Safety is about mitigating the specific risks associated with a particular work environment, through the implementation of health and safety procedures and ensuring that the correct PPE is specified for the environment. In my role, I have the opportunity to ensure that women in the mining industry are catered for, in both the design of equipment and work procedures, but also in the specification and fitting of the correct PPE for them.
3. How do you balance the pressures of work and family?
I find it hard to separate work from home, because when I walk into a mall, I automatically feel the need to check the evacuation areas and the emergency equipment. They say you take your work everywhere, which I do but in the mist of it all I still try to find balance.
4. What do you find to be the most challenging for women within the industry?
It is difficult for women to navigate this male dominated industry, with PPE sizes and work standards that do not always accommodate their needs. But with some of the changes being made with the concept of “applying work to worker” we are moving towards a better work environment.
5. What is your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of the job is going home with the knowledge, that by doing my job I have helped give the rest of the team the opportunity to also go home to their families safely.
6. What is your greatest achievement?
I started in this industry 11 years ago, and through a combination of hard work and studying I have had the opportunity to work my way up from process to the SHEQ department, that has been an incredible achievement for me.
7. Who is the most influential woman you know and how does she inspire you?
My boss is one of the greatest influencers in my life, she successfully runs both the Safety and Environmental departments and has integrated both systems together. Did I mention that she’s a woman.
8. What can you do to empower women within the Health and Safety Industry?
Raising awareness amongst women that the Safety industry needs more women will make a real difference to the Health and Safety industry. There are many opportunities for women to make an impact in the industry.
9. What is one quote that inspires you?
“We must respect the past and mistrust the present if we wish to provide for the safety of the future” Joseph Joubert.
