Saturday marked International Women’s Day 2025, which celebrated females across the globe – and most importantly, the incredible individuals working at EnerMech. As such, we’re proud to recognize our talented female colleagues who are making an impact every day.
This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, highlighted the importance of driving real change and making progress toward full gender parity.
To mark the occasion, we spoke with Lisa Santospirito, QHSE manager in Australia, and Michaela Black, an NDT technician whom she supports. Here, they share their experiences, the importance of speaking up in safety discussions, and how we can all play a role in building an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Lisa, could you first tell us a bit more about your role and seeing others female colleagues flourish?
“As a QHSE manager I aim to visit as many of the sites we work on to get a good understanding of our client’s expectations, what the potential safety hazards are that we may encounter, and what the general working conditions are like.
“I really enjoy getting on site with the team to learn more about what they do and during some of these visits I’ve had the privilege of seeing Michaela lead safety discussions, whether it is out in the field or during toolbox meetings.
“One of my key responsibilities is reviewing the Employee Work Observation Cards (EWOC) that are sent through each month. A good example is the high-quality detailed EWOC submissions from Michaela, which help to identify safety concerns and mitigate them before they become a hazard. She has never been afraid to speak up and raise safety issues, which has earned her a lot of respect from her team, the business and our client.”
Michaela, working in male-dominated teams, women can sometimes feel hesitant to share their thoughts – how can we shift this mindset and create a culture of confidence?
“I believe it’s important for leaders to actively invite diverse viewpoints from everyone in the team to ensure all voices are heard and advocate for those who may find it harder to speak up. Shifting mindsets can take time, but with consistent efforts from leadership and fellow team members, you can start to create an environment that empowers everyone to be able to offer input and contribute confidently.”
What strategies can women use to assert themselves when expressing safety concerns?
Michaela: “When flagging any issues, it is important to be clear and assertive. If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t. If need be, you can involve others to add weight and share the same concern. It’s also important to emphasize not only how it may impact your own safety and wellbeing, but that of those around you as well. If initial attempts go unheard, never hesitate to stop a job that feels unsafe and escalate the matter further.”
Lisa, how can leaders and colleagues actively encourage women to feel empowered in safety discussions?
“Create an inclusive environment by actively listening to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and their contributions are valued. Encourage participation by creating safe spaces that are non-judgemental where women can openly express their concerns.”
And what advice would you give to someone who wants to take more initiative in safety matters but isn’t sure where to start?
“Start by talking to your leader or to your local safety team. If you don’t have one, you could consider becoming a health and safety representative (HSR). You develop so much more in-depth knowledge, and it will also allow you to network with other HSRs.”
Who has inspired or supported you in your career, and how has that impacted your journey?
Lisa: “I started my career in health and safety as a HSR for my team. Networking with so many people who all felt passionate about keeping our teams safe, set me along the path to where I am today. The biggest impact for me was hearing the stories from those who had life changing injuries and what they wished they had done differently at the time. These people always encouraged us to speak up if we were unsure. I have learned that the only stupid question is the one you do not ask. Never be afraid to ask, ‘is this safe’, ‘is there another way’, or ‘what could go wrong’, to help prevent a concern becoming a reality.”
Between the two of you, what three tips can you share for allies, especially male colleagues, to support their female peers in safety-related conversations?
“One: Actively and respectfully listen without passing judgement is the first step. Validating a female colleague’s views and experiences is essential when she expresses worries regarding safety. Being tolerant and empathetic can make a difference.
“Two: Male supporters can help to amplify the voices of their female coworkers by making sure their concerns are heard. This could entail raising concerns at meetings or being more outspoken when promoting their suggested safety issue solutions.
“Three: Establish safe spaces for conversations around safety. This means creating a work environment where women feel comfortable voicing their concerns and sharing their thoughts without fear of retaliation or dismissal.”