Rise Up for BeyondZero: A Q&A with Catherine West

BeyondZero® is our approach to the health, safety and security of our people, the protection of the environment and the resilience of Jacobs. BeyondZero is so much more than a typical safety program. It’s helped us recognize and emphasize our whole selves, clearing the way for safety that encompasses the physical and emotional alongside the courage to raise our hands, speak up and stand down to create our Culture of Caring.

This year, BeyondZero is marking the 15-year anniversary of its launch – creating an opportunity for each of us to make an immediate and enduring commitment to contribute to our culture of work that’s healthy, safe and secure for our people and our planet. 

In celebration, we’ve talked with some of the team members leading the efforts to extend BeyondZero beyond where we work and into our daily lives, so we’re able to create a safer and healthier future for our families and our communities.

In this final feature, we’re talking with Catherine West, who is our Senior Director of Global Health & Safety, Operational Centers of Excellence.

Hi, Catherine. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role.

I’ve been in the Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) field for moe than 25 years in multiple industries including manufacturing, Department of Defense, commercial automotive and aerospace.   I’ve been with Jacobs for more than19 years with most of the time in the Critical Missions Solutions business CMS LOB before moving into our Operational Centers of Excellence team a little over three years ago.   My primary focus is the advancement of our BeyondZero Culture of Caring; collaborating with stakeholders across the company and business lines to deliver programs to do so.    

During this campaign, employees shared why “rising up” for BeyondZero was important to them – what’s your why?

I have so many “whys” it difficult to narrow down. Through lived experiences I’ve witnessed and been directly impacted by companies not taking care of their employees.  My father suffered a significant hearing loss from work exposure and my brother lost his hand from a problematic machine that the plant foreman refused to take offline to be fixed and he was told to “make do” to meet production.  Seeing how that has impacted their lives made a lasting impression on me and fuels my passion to ensure people are taken care of.   

On another personal note, I can’t imagine not being able to be a part of my kid’s lives.  I recently celebrated my daughter’s wedding, and I can’t imagine not being able to see the look of joy on her face and dancing like crazy at the reception.    Knowing how to protect my eyesight and stay healthy through all the BeyondZero and safety training over the years allowed me to do that.    

What about this BeyondZero anniversary campaign made you most proud?

It was great to see one of our Town Halls with Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou focused on BeyondZero and the executive leaders engaged to kick it off!   I felt it set the tone for the campaign and demonstrated that they are still fully behind advancing our BeyondZero culture. 

How has BeyondZero changed your day-to-day?

I’ve tried to impact my kids’ mindsets to embrace taking care of themselves and being prepared.  Key moments that stick out in my mind is when we go to a large event and right away, they start talking about where are the closest exit points to where we’re seated; where we’ll meet if we get separated and generally staying aware of the surroundings – a real life Safe Plan of Action!

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) isn’t just something I do “on the job” but I use it every day.  I understand the value and importance of it that even when I go to the barn or working outside, I make sure I’ve got safety glasses, the right boots for the job, etc.