CELEBRATING WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

Our colleague Ioana is responsible for implementing, managing, and maintaining the database of hazardous substances and the corporate-wide IT tool. In addition, she is responsible for developing and implementing standards, policies and technical procedures related to the management of those substances, supporting their application in our company. Together with her team, she advises and supervises the sites on hazardous substances, such as measurements, evaluation, control, and interpretation of safety data sheets, supporting in the management of occupational health and safety.

What led you to choose engineering as a profession?

It was not planned to become an engineer; however, I was always curious about how things work and what can be done to be improved to make it easier for the final user.

This year, the theme of Woman Engineering Day is 'Make Safety Seen'. How do you make 'safety seen' in your role?

Sharing best practices regarding safety in different areas is sometimes the easiest way to let others know how their colleagues dealt with different situations and solved or improved them. And always, the best way to make safety seen is to promote it by your own example and behavior.

How do you think Vitesco Technologies gives women the tools they need to prioritize their physically or psychologically safety at work?

Vitesco Technologies is one of the companies that doesn’t just write policies, but also implements them and, in my opinion, gives women the trust needed to share their possible concerns towards physically or psychologically safety at work. More than that, Vitesco Technologies also provides the proper safe environment where women can speak freely if there may be a situation that involves discrimination or harassment.

Why do you think safety is important in engineering, and are you working on new methods or programs to improve this matter?

Safety is the core of all activities and in engineering should be a focus as we’re the ones designing new roads for others to follow. I’m currently working on implementing a global database for sensitive chemicals which, among other benefits, will create the opportunity for everyone to share best practices in relation to safety for hazardous chemicals.

Do you have any message or advice for future generations of women in the engineering industry?

Follow your dreams and the road will slowly unfold. Everything is possible if you believe it is possible.

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