Susan Funk, HSE Specialist Northeast Region, Air Liquide
Years as an ASSP member: 2
Years in the safety industry: 8 (military to safety)
Key responsibilities of your job
CULTURE SHAPING! Incident investigation, directive delivery, site visit/audit.
Most significant accomplishment in your career
Graduating from UAB with my Advanced Safety Engineering and Management (ASEM) Masters degree. With that came a GSP certification.
What do you/did you love the most about your job
Safety is basically a free pass to see every process. If you want to get into any phase of production or management, you can just ask. Not every role has that capability, but safety sees it all! This also makes everyone feel a bit more valued and understood (if done the right way-don’t lord over employees as the safety police!)
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the safety industry
Don’t base your success on praise, this can be a thankless field. Appreciate the relationships you create and quiet times. Safety is oftentimes quiet success, culture shaping, and information sharing. If you’re making gains there, you’re winning.
List your some of your hobbies
Hiking, bird watching, painting (I’m not good at it, but it’s relaxing).
What is something people don’t know about you
I have a secret favorite place in Middleton, RI where I love to sit and relax. It’s not really super-secret, but I love it. Google it, Purgatory Chasm!
What hashtags describe your personality best
#Halloween #livemusic #laugh #adventure #OctoberGirl #vegetarian #sleepy
What is the #1 TV show that you recommend for everyone to watch
Star Trek (right now I’m all in on Strange New Worlds)
Biggest Pet Peeve
Talking down to service workers, just don’t.
If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be
Pasta with garlic bread.
What is the first concert you ever attended
I’m not giving away my security questions! But here are some of my favorites, Carbon Leaf, Rise Against, Andrew McMahon, Stevie Nicks!