Operator’s Opinion
Operator’s Opinion Rod Hellwig ROD HELLWIG
CONCRETE DIVISION MANAGER – SMITHBRIDGE GUAM
Rod, pictured left, at the Smithbridge Guam concrete plant.
Rod has recently joined Smithbridge Guam as Concrete Division Manager, bringing with him 20+ years’ experience in business and process improvement roles across a range of manufacturing and service-based industries.
It’s a pleasure to speak with you, Rod. Can you give us a bit of background on yourself? I have spent the last 20 years working in manufacturing and service-based industries within Australia and overseas. Some of the industries I’ve worked in include engineering plastics, cardboard, plastic bottles, steel, concrete and particleboard manufacture. My main focus has always been people, business and process improvement and I have worked in roles from OHS, logistics and manufacturing manager to customer service, sales and general management. Having 5 years’ experience with Holcim Concrete in Australia with a business improvement focus, I came to Smithbridge Guam to lead the team and build a strong, efficient and well-regarded concrete division within the business. I look forward to the challenges ahead. 28
LIFTING MATTERS
ISSUE Q2 2021
What is the most common action or behaviour you witness in the field that leads to high potential incidents or near misses? Any ideas on how we can prevent incidents or near misses in the future? The most common behaviour is the lack of planning and taking what you do seriously. It is the lack of planning and understanding of the surrounding environment that can (and will) lead to high potential incidents / near misses, or even worse, actual incidents.
We need to take the time to scope, plan, test and then act. Our industry needs to get better at learning how to say “no” without feeling obligated.
