Getting to know Jorge Silva

On this occasion we will meet Jorge Silva, Coordinator of Safety, Health, Work, and Environment at Mar Azul Project Management. Everyone who knows Jorge at Mar Azul knows how practical and dynamic this Colombian by birth with a Panamanian heart is, who defines himself as honest, conservative, and romantic.

Jorge tells us that outside the workplace he loves to prepare barbecues and that he participates even when not made at home. Wherever he has been invited, he always ends up preparing all kinds of meats. This de-stresses him a lot and even more so if he is watching an important soccer game on television. He loves soccer and his favorite team is Deportivo Cali, from his hometown. He also follows the Spanish league, supports Real Madrid, and tells us, between laughter and pride, that they are the current champions.

Since at Mar Azul we are a family and the staff have known each other for years, we asked Jorge to share a personal curious piece of information that not all his colleagues know, to which he replied that he thinks he suffers from OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) due to his excessive concern for the order and cleanliness, and his fear that things are not right or get disorganized.

Already in terms of studies and first work experiences, Jorge studied to become a Preventionist, with a specialization in Risk Management. He has a vast experience of fourteen years in the field of industrial safety, occupational health, and environment in the construction industry.

As part of his first professional experiences in Panama, he mentioned the projects for the MetroMall Shopping Center, the sanitation of the bay, and Cementos Argos Panamá in Colon. On this last experience, he paused to highlight his experience at Cemento Panamá, where the activities included working at heights, high-risk tasks in dismountable cement silos and equipment at more than 25 meters, and that during his contract, no incident/accident ever occurred.

About Mar Azul

We asked him, within his experience and work at Mar Azul, what is he most passionate about. Jorge answered us: “This profession, despite the fact that it is a bit ungrateful, I feel that it is in your blood”, Mr. Icaza once said. Silva breathes security and is correct. When he comes to a project, whatever it may be, big or small, for him they all have the same degree of importance, he forgets that the world exists; he clings to inspecting and that makes him passionate. Among his main challenges —he tells us— is keeping the projects free of serious or fatal accidents and he achieves this with care and dedication to his work.

Jorge tells us that the department for which he is responsible was created more than nine years ago with the main interest of Senior Management in ensuring the well-being and health of both all Mar Azul employees and all staff hired for the projects executed by the company.

We asked Jorge to tell us about the most difficult part of ensuring people’s safety and he explained that workers with a lot of experience in the sector do not like to be corrected in terms of safety, alleging that “nothing has ever happened to them.” He also adds: “I have managed to handle these situations with good communication, without rudeness, and without falling into the trap of provocation. Advising them and making them react with a key question: How many people are waiting for you at home?”

Experiences

Jorge shared a funny experience with us: “I had been working at Mar Azul for about five months and there were corporate telephone lines with short numbers. That day, I made a call to a co-worker from back then who is also Colombian. I was supposed to dial 786. I called and, when answered, I started talking using Colombian phrases and jokes. After I’m done talking a voice asked me, —Are you done yet?— I was cold when I didn’t recognize my friend’s voice and instead heard: —Jorge, you’re talking to Engineer Muschett— (one of the project directors). I was speechless. I had dialed 787. I felt very sad and this is definitely an experience that I will not forget.”

With all his years and experiences lived as SHSO Coordinator, with personnel from all areas and diverse personalities, we asked him to share five keys to achieve his objectives: He told us that, for him, there is no difference in objectives; both personally and professionally, he recommends that we follow the same guidelines:

→ Discipline and enthusiasm (the most key);
→ Self-improvement and growth to help us identify our true interests; that is, to have a mission and vision in our lives;
→ Honesty;
→ Adaptability to face personal changes because we were not born with the gift of being perfect; and
→ Happiness at work because you are passionate about what you do; not only because of the money factor.