I didn’t start my career in environmental, health and safety with the intention of becoming a safety professional. My path was shaped by my experiences, the people I met and the realization that preventing injuries before they happen is just as critical – if not more so – than treating them after the fact.
It all started when I worked in physical therapy, assisting patients who were recovering from work-related injuries. I saw firsthand the pain, frustration and hardship these individuals endured – not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Some had been dedicated workers for decades, only to have their livelihoods threatened by a preventable incident. I listened to their stories, heard their regrets and saw the struggles they faced in rebuilding their strength. One patient, an oil rig worker, lost his leg when it got caught while he was throwing a chain around the drilling pipe. He’d spent years mastering his trade, providing for his family and taking pride in his work. But in that critical moment, he’d been rushing. “If only I had taken my time,” he said, his voice filled with regret. That moment stuck with me. I knew I had to do more than help people recover – I had to prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place.
Determined to make a difference, I became an emergency medical technician, responding to emergencies where I saw firsthand the consequences of poor safety practices. I treated workers who had fallen or been burned, crushed or exposed to hazardous chemicals. I witnessed preventable tragedies unfold time and time again, and it only reinforced my belief that safety isn’t just a set of rules – it’s a responsibility.
I took my skills further, becoming a rescue technician, both onshore and offshore. Working in oil and gas, I encountered some of the most hazardous environments imaginable. From confined spaces deep within industrial facilities to towering rigs in the open sea, I learned that safety isn’t just a checklist – it’s a mindset. Every day, I saw the thin line between a routine job and a life-threatening incident. The training, discipline and quick decision-making required in those moments taught me the importance of preparation, hazard mitigation and proactive safety leadership.
My career took me through a variety of industries, from oil and gas service companies to oil leases and general construction. I worked with teams in high-risk environments, where the smallest oversight could mean disaster. I traveled across the United States, gaining experience on jobsites where safety standards varied widely. Some companies had strong safety cultures, while others cut corners to save time or money – often at the cost of worker well-being.
I made it my mission to bring safety to the forefront, advocating for better training, improved safety procedures and a culture where workers felt empowered to speak up.
My experience on the ground gave me a deep understanding of the risks that workers face every day. I wasn’t just another safety manager behind a desk – I had been in the field, seen the dangers up close and understood the pressures workers faced.
That credibility allowed me to connect with teams, earn their trust and help create a culture where safety isn’t just a requirement – it’s a way of life.
Looking back, my journey into EHS wasn’t a straight path, but every step along the way led me to where I am today. From physical therapy to emergency response, from rescue operations to industrial safety, each experience shaped my understanding of why safety matters.
Today, I don’t see safety as just a job; I see it as a mission. I work every day to ensure workers go home to their families at the end of their shift, uninjured and unharmed. I carry the stories of the patients I once helped, the workers I’ve responded to and the colleagues I’ve trained. They remind me why I do what I do.
Safety isn’t only about rules and regulations; it’s about people. And if I can prevent even one injury, one tragedy, one life-altering incident, then every step of this journey has been worth it.
Angel Jimenez, SMS, CHST, CSSHO
Senior executive construction account specialist
The Hartford
