I am Miika Romoi, I am working as a HSE engineer at Bilfinger. Originally, I came to the company in 2019 working as an HSE supervisor. I decided to apply to Bilfinger, since I was working in my previous position at Kilpilahti, which sparked my interest in HSE work, I changed jobs, but HSE area still interests me. I decided to apply to Bilfinger since there was a position open for the HSE supervision position.
During my career at Bilfinger I have been working in various projects in Finland as well as Sweden, as an example doing new industrial buildings and factories in maintenance and downtime work. Furthermore, I have been developing my skill in LEAN expert education that was executed in Germany, Finland, and Sweden.
I have noticed that HSE has increasingly important role, since the standards are increasing. Today there are more standards and laws that require a professional to handle these. In addition, as we operate in global environments HSE is important factor.
At Bilfinger we have a high HSE level, that has impacted that our customers have had high standards. In other words, we have learned to operate at a high level. There has been even project where our standards have been higher level.
What kind of your daily work life is?
My work varies significantly depending on the month, the year, and the ongoing situation. My tasks include preparing new projects, creating guidelines and communicating about HSE-related topics, conducting HSE audits, handling daily operational work, and studying contracts and relevant legislation.
Daily operations mainly include responding to client reports when needed, communicating safety-related information, and providing guidance on proper site practices. In the mornings, there may be meetings with site management or weekly briefings to ensure that all necessary updates and information are shared.
Together with the client and site management, we also conduct safety walks. On worksites, the HSE function is responsible for addressing risk situations when necessary. The purpose of safety walks is to gain an overall understanding of the safety level across the sites.
How are new projects being prepared?
For new customers and new clients, it includes various preparations. The contract needs to be looked at carefully and understand the agreements and requirements agreed on. The contracts should be compared to previous contracts as an example of their new processes, development or changes that need to be considered. In addition, you must understand the laws, since some of the projects might take place abroad.
All guidelines must be turned into clear communication materials and safety attachments to ensure they align with the client’s requirements. I review and study the material and share relevant information with others. When information is stored in the right place and is easy to access, it can be found quickly. I also carry out the required documentation according to established rules so that all information is available to everyone who needs it. These practices ensure a strong project start, which is an essential part of a successful project.
You need to be able to work with the customer and be proactive, so you get to know the people, the way that you build trust and relationships. Since, in the project communication and operations work smoothly when you get to know people and the way they work.
What are important skills to have as an HSE engineer?
Absorbing, understanding, and sharing information are essential parts of the role. It is important to be able to learn new things quickly and to understand what they mean in practice, as well as how this information can be applied in different situations.
In HSE work, the focus must be on safe practices. While there are many rules and guidelines, it is the practical everyday actions that build a strong safety culture. Therefore, it is crucial to identify areas for improvement and address situations where work is being carried out incorrectly.
What is challenging in your work?
The most challenging part is developing the safety culture, as it cannot be built alone. The culture must be continuously strengthened, respected, and communicated. Through effective communication, people need to be encouraged to adopt these practices, which require everyone’s involvement and commitment.
What are the cornerstones of workplace safety?
First being participation, which is essential, which includes an open atmosphere. It is valuable for everyone to participate in safety. Second, systematicity, which are the things that are concretely done, monitored, developed and maintained.
Finally, is example, so at every level one behaves and acts according to instructions and procedures and takes care of colleagues. Intervention is also important, that unsafe activities are intervened in. Because culture is generally self-created and accepted, where people who are part of this community create culture.
What motivates you in your work?
Challenges motivate you because challenges enable success and development. I feel that my work matters because when I succeed in my work, things go well. When you take responsibility at work, you can succeed and get good feedback.
Success can also be achieved if the customer is satisfied because the work has been done proactively, with cooperation and active communication.
What have you learned in your work?
One big realization is that at Bilfinger, people are people. We are a global company, but I can connect with anyone with a very low threshold. I still use this today, so that if I don't know myself, I can connect with anyone globally. In the current project, I have asked for information about Sweden and Germany.