Beatriz joined Penspen as an HSE Coordinator in our office in Villahermosa, Mexico in 2018. Ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we caught up with her to hear about what a hike up the Chichonal Volcano taught her about workplace culture, and how a love of horse-riding in the Mexican countryside has inspired a push for better wellbeing in the workplace.
“I joined Penspen in 2018, overseeing the QHSE management system for projects in Latin America based out of our Mexico office. Our biggest priorities are protecting the heath and safety of our colleagues, monitoring the quality control processes for our operations, and protecting both the workplace and the environment. The nature of Penspen’s operations, crossing over multiple service lines and regions, means that each challenge is totally different – and that’s what I love most about my job. Each has its own context and degree of complexity, and I have really noticed how I have grown as a person and a professional through overcoming these challenges over the years. Everything I do at work serves as a learning experience.
“Why Penspen specifically? Because it’s a global company with the highest standards of QHSE embedded in its foundations. There’s a culture here where working safely and responsibly is paramount – so I knew that I could have a real impact and take on meaningful responsibility. Every member of our team shares a deep sense of commitment to protecting our people and the environment, always keeping our five values at the core of every project we take on.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is without a doubt the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career. It turned everything upside-down, and like everyone, we had to adapt to entirely new approaches to what we do. With the support of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and Penspen’s own COVID-19 committee, I led the development of our response plan for Mexico and Peru. A lot of lessons were learned from that period. For me, the biggest takeaway was the resilience and commitment from each and every person in our team that helped us overcome the challenge – that’s something I’ve carried forward into my day-to-day life.
“Outside of work, I make the most of spending time with my family. I really enjoy getting out of the city for a weekend and heading to the countryside with them. We ride horses and enjoy the fresh air, which I’ve found is something that really helps to untangle my mind and to think clearly. So, that’s been influential in how I approach mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. It’s a topic I’m incredibly passionate about.
“Positive mental health is a human right, so creating safe workplaces that champion positive wellbeing is vital – and it has clear benefits for performance and productivity. The positive impact of taking time to enjoy being outside cannot be understated, whether that’s doing horse-riding or whatever else it might be.
“So, over the last few years in Penspen’s office in Villahermosa, Mexico, we’ve focused on organising activities and initiatives that get people outside and encourage camaraderie: cycling, climbing, running, and hiking, to name a few. Last year, a group of us hiked up the Chichonal Volcano in Chiapas, Mexico. It was a challenging route – 10km up steep slopes – but the views were incredible. The summit overlooks a beautiful lake in the volcanic crater.
“A few weeks ago, we took part in the annual Villahermosa Urban Race, which follows a route through the streets and parks of our city. These fun activities have become so important for our team because they reduce stress and bring people together. People learn a lot about their colleagues and get to know them. But beyond that, they also learn a lot about themselves, and their own abilities – and these are all things that translate directly to a healthier working environment.
“My advice to anyone who wants to promote better mental health in the workplace is to bring everyone on board with you. With any activity or program, consider any possible limitations that people might face and make sure these are accounted for. Create a variety of initiatives so that everyone gets to be a part of something and support an inclusive environment that encourages this team spirit.
“It’s special to have a real sense that your work is an integral part of what the company achieves – and that other people see it that way. It’s that feeling of having made a difference, having changed things for the better – that’s what makes me proud at work.”
Life at Penspen
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Beatriz joined Penspen as an HSE Coordinator in our office in Villahermosa, Mexico in 2018. Ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, we caught up with her to hear about what a hike up...
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