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As we commemorate International Women's Day, we are thrilled to unveil the inspiring narratives of five extraordinary women who have made their name in the realm of safety. In a traditionally male-dominated field, these women, stand as shining examples of resilience and dedication. Through unwavering determination and relentless effort, they are challenging stereotypes and paving the way for countless others. Join us as we celebrate their remarkable journeys and the invaluable contributions they continue to make in the field of safety.
Tapasya MN
Tapasya MN, serving as HSE Head at Nordex, embarked on her journey in the safety field with a profound belief - "We are the drivers of change, compelling individuals to recognize the significance of their actions and prioritize saving lives."
Discussing the unique challenges that women encounter in this industry, she sheds light on the prevailing assumption that portrays women as ‘submissive’. To address such misconceptions, Tapasya emphasizes the importance of prudence and assertiveness. She advocates for positioning oneself as a formidable individual who commands respect and cannot be underestimated or taken lightly.
Views on Technological Advancements in the EHS Industry
Tapasya believes that technology, including wearable devices and AI-driven safety systems, plays a crucial role in advancing the safety of all workers in the EHS industry. She foresees significant developments in the future, as AI has the potential to bring about massive changes by revolutionizing the way inspections, training, and investigations are conducted. These advanced technologies are expected to greatly enhance workplace safety standards.
Advice to Aspiring Women Safety Leaders
Her advice to other women aspiring to leadership roles in EHS or safety management emphasizes the importance of resilience, focus, and strength in overcoming challenges. She believes that regardless of the role, individuals must remain resilient, focused, and strong to confront the various obstacles they encounter.
Tanuja Sathe
Tanuja Sathe, Senior Executive HESQ Officer at YARA India, was initially motivated to pursue a career in EHS by the idea of ensuring people's safety, protecting them from hazards, and contributing to a safer environment where employees feel safe and motivated every day. She has received appreciation from her country manager for conducting safety programs for school kids, which inspires her to continue her efforts in doing good work.
Reflecting on her unique perspective and experience in the role, Tanuja highlights the importance of being a woman in the safety field. She notes that employees feel comfortable approaching her and sharing their safety-related issues. Female employees, in particular, feel safe and at ease sharing their views and any specific problems they may be facing.
However, Tanuja acknowledges the challenges that come with being a woman in the safety field. She mentions the need to be alert and aware when dealing with new customers or the public. Especially when traveling alone on business tours, she must remain extra cautious and vigilant at all times to prevent any potential security or safety-related incidents.
Views on Technological Advancements in the EHS Industry
Tanuja believes that technology is a crucial factor in enhancing safety and security within the EHS industry. She holds the view that the adoption of AI-driven safety solutions and wearable devices can significantly contribute to accident reduction and enhanced security performance.
Advice to Aspiring Women Safety Leaders
Her advice to aspiring women safety leaders is that more women should come forward in this field. She emphasizes that the safety field offers vast learning opportunities and encourages breaking the stereotype that it solely belongs to males.
Jayalakshmi G K
Jayalakshmi G K, Assistant Manager of EHS at Saint-Gobain, was initially drawn towards the EHS industry by her passion for improving people's lives and adding value to their well-being. In her role as a woman in a leadership position within the EHS field, Jayalakshmi brings a unique perspective focused on EHS culture development. When faced with gender-specific challenges in her profession, Jayalakshmi navigates them with strong subject knowledge, ensuring that her expertise and capabilities shine through, regardless of any preconceived notions or biases. She remains steadfast in her commitment to promoting safety and equality within the workplace.
Views on Technological Advancements in the EHS Industry
In Jayalakshmi's perspective, technology, including wearable devices and AI-driven safety systems, plays a pivotal role in advancing the safety of all workers in the EHS industry. She anticipates significant developments in the future, with ample solid evidence available for discussion.
Advice to Aspiring Women Safety Leaders
In her advice, Jayalakshmi emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation and networking while balancing confidence and humility.
Rashmi Goyal
Rashmi Goyal, General Manager - Safety & Health at Schindler, was motivated toward the safety field by recognizing its significance in the modern, diverse world. Unlike conventional paths in medicine or law, focusing solely on safety required a distinct vision—one that prioritized saving lives, preventing business losses, and safeguarding the environment. Despite its historical prominence, she noted how safety careers are often overlooked, viewed merely as expense centers rather than essential business functions.
In her approach to reinforcing a Behaviour-Based Observation program for at-risk behaviors, she prioritizes creativity, innovation, and openness. Recognizing the value of diversity in decision-making, she fosters an environment where all team members, regardless of gender or background, feel empowered to contribute, enhancing overall effectiveness and creating opportunities for everyone to excel. Additionally, she extends her support by mentoring and guiding young women in the field. By building strong relationships and fostering trust, she reduces attrition rates and retains future leaders.
When encountering challenges, she relies on mentorship programs and peer networks for valuable guidance. Confident in her abilities, she fearlessly advocates for her needs while understanding the significance of self-care for managing emotions. Additionally, she invests in personal growth, celebrating successes to inspire others and break down gender barriers in the workplace.
Her journey has been rewarding, with notable achievements including securing the industry award for Best Performance in Safety from RoSPA for two consecutive years. Despite challenges, she successfully articulated her accomplishments, resulting in a Gold award. The most rewarding moments come from being remembered for her work and seeing colleagues reach greater heights.
Views on Technological Advancements in the EHS Industry
In her perspective, technology holds the potential to revolutionize safety practices when employed in controlled environments. By continuously analyzing data from various sensors and sources, AI systems can promptly detect potential incidents and trigger immediate alerts, minimizing the aftermath and ensuring swift action to safeguard employees and the environment. Integrating cloud computing, safety monitoring, AI, and machine learning, technology enhances employee safety. Wearable technology and AI can assess ergonomic risks, while sensors detect environmental hazards like gas leaks, enabling proactive interventions. Moreover, technology has significantly improved the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Advice to Aspiring Women Safety Leaders
In her advice, Rashmi encourages women to be confident in their abilities and not let gender-based limitations hold them back. She emphasizes the importance of self-belief, resilience, and taking on challenges fearlessly. Rashmi advises playing to one's strengths, empowering oneself, and seeking guidance from seniors while motivating peers and coaching staff for success. Rashmi emphasizes stepping out of comfort zones, showing compassion, and actively listening. She underscores the importance of taking risks and going the extra mile, particularly in safety management, to shift from compliance to commitment mindset.
Ankita Gujrati
Ankita Gujrati, serving as the AMEA HSE Program Manager and Commercial Safety Lead at Mondelēz International, was driven to pursue a career in EHS by her belief in its power to save lives. She brings unique perspectives and experiences to her work by valuing diverse opinions and taking time to pause and reflect on areas for improvement.
She emphasizes the importance of identifying one's circle of influence and taking appropriate action. She believes in the saying that ‘your work speaks for itself’. While challenges or conflicts may arise, Ankita maintains that if you are right and add value to the business, your voice will be heard.
Views on Technological Advancements in the EHS Industry
Ankita acknowledges the ever-evolving nature of the world and the increasing demand for data-driven digital solutions across all sectors, including EHS. She emphasizes that technology continues to be a key driver in advancing EHS maturity and will remain essential for excelling in this critical field, which revolves around ensuring people's safety.
Advice to Aspiring Women Safety Leaders
Her advice to aspiring women safety leaders is to stay focused and calm and to remain open to continuous learning and relearning. She stresses the importance of agility and perseverance in all endeavors and encourages never hesitating to present the facts transparently.
*This list reflects the views of SafetyConnect. We understand there are many other women safety leaders carving their names in the industry. If you know someone or would like to share your own story, please feel free to reach out to us at rukshita@iotrl.io
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