We are thrilled to announce that Nicolas Rebert has joined Walton & Company as our new Safety Director. With over seven years of experience in the field, Nicolas brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. His commitment to safety and his innovative approach to problem-solving make him a perfect fit for our company.

We asked him several questions about his expertise and some personal questions, let’s Get-To-Know Nick!

How have you improved safety in previous roles? What challenges did you face?

In previous experience, I have found success in improving organizational safety by working diligently with all levels of management and field staff to promote a culture of continuous safety improvement.  I have had success in establishing good working relationships with management and employees to ensure they can utilize me as a trusted support resource, both in the field and in the office.

I have had success improving safety by providing both effective training and communication, as well as further developing and implementing simplified processes and procedures that support continuous forward thinking. My goal is to inspire that proactive approach to safety, that I find is already rooted here. The slogan at Walton, “Stop, Think, Work Safe” resonates well with me.  Change can sometimes be challenging, whether that change is learning how to use a new technology that enhances safety or breaking an old habit.  Safety is a mindset that must be taken home with you as well, and I am a proponent of taking personal accountability for your safety.  At the end of the day, it’s the enjoyment of the finer things in life, such as family, friends, and hobbies that we all strive to work safely for.

How do you stay informed about safety regulations and trends? Can you give an example of how this knowledge benefited your organization and how you plan to implement it at Walton? 

I believe that transparently sharing and reviewing the latest trends and data allows for safety performance to be measured, and in return, will better facilitate the evaluation of risk and where improvements can be made accordingly.  I also find that attending training webinars, and ASSP meetings help keep me informed.  I believe I can learn something new every day, in the field or out of the field.

Collaboration across departments is crucial for effective safety management. Can you discuss a time when you had to work closely with other departments or teams to address a safety issue or improve safety procedures? What were the outcomes of this collaboration, and what did you learn from the experience?

Developing a well-rounded safety culture and effective safety management system truly does require an all-around collaborative effort from all departments, as each department shares a vital role throughout all stages of a job. Safety committee meetings, for example, are great opportunities to spend time collaborating with members of other departments to identify areas of improvement. This is a great opportunity to share ideas in a collective way and to work toward a common goal of solving a problem or improving a process. I have also found success in setting up monthly safety inspections that involve members from various departments to join in on.

How many years of experience do you have in the safety industry?
7+

What is your market expertise?
Industrial Construction, General Industry and Mining

What is your service expertise?
Health and Safety Compliance along with Loss Prevention.

Is there something you thought about doing but haven’t accomplished?
Booking a Bear Hunt in Canada.

What’s on your bucket list?
To hike another 14’er in Colorado.

Where is your happy place?
Being up at my cabin, preferably in the Fall season or fishing on my boat.

What’s your favorite meal?
Pizza, as simple as that sounds.

What was your childhood dream job?
Pilot

What hashtag describes your personality best?
#fishon

And finally, describe Walton in 3 words.
Devoted ~ Reputable ~ Prudent