GAC appoints Constantin Draghici to head HSSE drive Hands-on experience to guide Group-wide safety culture.
GAC has appointed Constantin Draghici as its Group HSSE (Health Safety Security Environment) Manager to drive awareness and consistent implementation of the best health, safety, security and environmental practices throughout the GAC world. Born in Bucharest, Romania, in 1971, Constantin has a wealth of hands-on operational experience, having served onboard vessels as a deck officer and chief officer before coming ashore to work as a Safety Engineer and HSE (Health Safety Environment) Coordinator. Since 2007, he worked as HSSE Manager with GAC Turkmenistan, guiding the safe working of GAC’s shipping, logistics and marine professionals working in and around the Caspian Sea. In June, he was appointed Regional Quality Assurance/HSE Manager for Africa, Russia and Central Asia – a role which he continues in parallel to his Group duties.
He holds the International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety from NEBOSH (National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health) and he is a Technician Member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health). Constantin is also enrolled on further courses for the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.Constantin says his four years in Turkmenistan presented a challenge, with many achievements and some disappointments, but taught him some valuable lessons that will stand him in good stead for his new role.
Defining safety
He now reports direct to Jan Farnelid, Group Vice President – Human Resources on Group HSSE matters. One of his first tasks will be to define the safety culture and standards throughout GAC, by working closely with management, local operations and the GAC Corporate Academy.“There are many different definitions of ‘safety culture’ but the one that resonates best with me is: how we act when no one is watching,” he says. “That applies to everyone within the organisation. It relies on the leadership and commitment of managers, resourcing of health and safety infrastructure, work patterns, setting targets and the means to measure and monitor results. “Fortunately, GAC Group Management is very HSSE-conscious and I believe they have the will, vision and leadership to help enforce the highest levels of HSSE compliance in everything we do.”
No blame
Many GAC companies have already achieved positive results but adopting a ‘no blame’ culture, an approach which does not seek to pin the blame on an individual when something goes wrong, but rather focuses on identifying mistakes, understanding what went wrong and taking the best corrective action. Constantin adds: “This approach has at its heart GAC’s most precious asset - its people. It is GAC’s employees at every location around the world that will put our HSSE best practices into action in the real world.“With safety at the heart of everything we do, we cannot fail to achieve and exceed the high standards our customers expect from GAC.”