Employee Spotlight: Michal Herman
Health & Safety Specialist Michal Herman joined Vetropack in August 2024. His job is to ensure a safe working environment –to find practical solutions that prevent accidents and improve overall workplace safety. He believes the key to safety is a simple principle: “Look around you and think.”
His journey in Health & Safety started in 2013 back in 2013 when he joined the volunteer fire fighters' call-out unit. Here he fully realized the importance of prevention and decided to extend his knowledge. Gradually, he became qualified in the field of fire protection and started working as an inspection technician for fire protection equipment.
At Vetropack Moravia Glass, Michal takes care of everything related to occupational safety, health protection and fire protection: he prepares and is responsible for health and safety documentation. He also trains new employees, fire patrols, external companies, carries out regular safety checks and fire inspections, participates in inspections by state authorities and is responsible for the local unit of the company fire brigade.
He actively cooperates with other departments, because the employees in each department know their work best and should be supported rather than directed from a desk. “My goal is to make employees feel safe and understand that safety is not an obstacle, but a protection of their health and life,” adds Michal.
As part of his work, he tries to apply measures and approaches that inspired him in the automotive environment – the visible ones so far include new road markings, replacing road signs, or setting up a system of training for external companies. However, he considers it most important that everyone sees safety as a shared responsibility. "Don't overlook the problems. If you see a problem somewhere, report it to your manager or directly to me, that's what I'm here for," he appeals to his colleagues.
The fact that safety is a heart issue for Michal is confirmed by his choice of leisure activities. In addition to his family, he also focuses on safety outside of work. Since 2013, he has been an active member of the volunteer fire brigade in Vracov.