AROUND THE CLOCK Each issue, we put our ten questions to a health and safety professional
to find out about their varied work/life balance. This month we caught up with Jim Struthers, Sales Manager at Casella.
AROUND THE CLOCK 1
WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES?
I’m responsible for sales activity in the UK, Europe, North and South America, Africa and the Middle East, working alongside our territory sales teams. I also support
operations in India, China and Australia, assisting with commercial and product application, legislation issues, and training.
2
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY? I applied to be an Internal Sales Engineer at
Casella 21 years ago. I’ve stayed within the company, and the industry, because of the variation of work and the satisfaction I get from working in the Casella team. It’s an ongoing learning experience, especially because of global non-conformity surrounding health and safety legislation.
3
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS JOB? I spent a year travelling, visiting Hong Kong,
Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and America’s west coast. Travel taught me that one size doesn’t fit all, which is helpful in my career when rolling things out in other countries.
4 5 6
WHAT DO YOU DO IN A TYPICAL DAY? It’s always varied. As a business we’re constantly
looking to improve customer experience, for instance through training or understanding how new technology can solve unmet needs. So, I can be in the office conversing with the sales team, talking to channel partners or helping end-users find the right solution or, as we have offices globally, I could be overseas supporting operations.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE WORK MOMENT?
Flying to South Africa with little notice to demonstrate our Apex2 air sampling pump, showing how it operates in deep underground mines. I arrived on Monday and by 4am Tuesday we were being driven to a gold mine, descending more than 2km underground to perform critical testing of the pump’s capabilities. It was a resounding success and truly memorable experience!
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? We help ensure workers go home in the same
healthy state every day, which is really fulfilling. Although we talk about health and safety as one entity, they’re vastly different. The safety element is about the here and now, whereas health is generally
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about a latency effect on the body. By helping people understand we have to treat health like safety, we can ensure workers have the best chance of a healthy, happy work life.
7
WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF YOUR JOB? Seeing the impact on people who have been
unnecessarily exposed to hazardous substances, or have noise-induced hearing loss because they weren’t educated or protected. I’ve met people with mesothelioma who dedicate their last years to educating others about the dangers of asbestos exposure. It’s heart-breaking knowing they have a shortened life, and concerning that the danger still exists and people are unaware.
8
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ANYONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Have an open mind and find a mentor - the advice of those who have been occupational hygienists for years will outweigh anything you can learn from books. Listen to people around you and take on board what they share. One piece of advice that’s stuck with me is something my dad said when I was 18 — “50% of what you achieve is down to your capability, and 50% is down to your personality.” I really live by that.
9
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO UNWIND? I’m an outdoor person and love sports, especially
football, which has been a regular Saturday activity for me since I was seven. I have an interest in global politics and enjoy reading, skiing, trekking and climbing. In fact, next year I’m climbing the highest mountain in Georgia, Mount Kazbek.
10
WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS?
Sports journalism, as it would allow me to work while embracing my passion for sport.
www.casellasolutions.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
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