ENG VLADISLAVA KIROVA: SAFETY AS A MINDSET

You do not have to work in heavy industry or a high-risk environment to get literally sick from your job. Being behind a desk for 8+ hours can have the same effect. Eng Vladislava Kirova not only knows this very well – she can also help both companies and their staff.

Engineer Kirova is a manager and expert in occupational health and safety. She has worked as a labour inspector at the Executive Agency General Labour Inspectorate, Directorate Healthy and Safe Working Conditions. Since 2006, she has been a trainer in occupational health and safety at V Consult Bulgaria Ltd and head of the occupational health service AS CLUB Ltd. She has participated in the introduction of the EU regulatory framework in Bulgaria in the field of health and safety and has 25 years of experience in the field, holding Master's degrees in "Ecology and environmental protection", "Industrial safety and fire safety" and "Business management".

AS CLUB Ltd is an occupational health service and a control body for electrical safety and factors of the working environment, while V Consult Bulgaria Ltd is a consultancy and training centre exclusively specialised in the field of occupational health and safety. It offers creative solutions in the management of health and safety systems based on knowledge and change management. The company analyses activities, work processes and systems, and resolves problems on site in compliance with the basic principles of prevention and regulatory requirements. It develops and delivers safety training with an individual approach.

You have turned workplace health and safety into your professional mission. What is the most important thing you have learned over nearly 25 years in this field?

The most important lesson I have learned is that safety is not just a set of rules but a mindset. I have learned to always look for "the other point of view" – every situation, even the most difficult one, has at least two sides and should not be judged hastily. Above all, I realised that health is the greatest human right and no one has the right to take it away. My work is to change how people think and to break old stereotypes, because I believe that our attitude to life and work determines how successful and fulfilled we are.

Which leadership quality helps you be one of the professionals who set the benchmarks in this field?

I cannot single out just one quality that makes someone a leader or a benchmark in the profession. To be a true professional in our field, you need a combination of skills that work in sync: you must be able to see the big picture and the strategic goals; for me the highest value is preserving human life and health. Key qualities include the ability to walk in another person's shoes, to maintain self-control in critical situations, to motivate and inspire people and to lead by example. Last but not least, to be aware that you can make mistakes and to take responsibility for the consequences.

What are the most common hazards for people working in offices?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that there are no hazards in an office and that nothing needs to be done. The main risks there are "silent".

• Ergonomic risks: Incorrect working posture and poor workplace organisation cause musculoskeletal disorders.
• Psychosocial factors: Stress and burnout are often underestimated. Crossing the boundary between personal and professional life – I myself often struggle to find that boundary and find it hard to say "no" to clients and this is exhausting.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of movement is a serious risk to long-term health.

How have workplace hazards changed over the years since you entered this field?

Oh yes, the world has changed after all, humanity has gone through four industrial revolutions. Years ago, the focus was mainly on heavy industry and physical survival. Today, hazards are more digital and psychological. The challenges are related to one's work-life balance, especially when technology jas made us available 24/7. We are no longer talking only about hard hats and gloves but about a culture of safety and mental health. Today, hazards are more invisible but more all-encompassing. The academic world is still too closed to practice, but business is beginning to understand that without healthy employees there is no success. The change is that today we talk about a "culture of safety", not just about "instruction".

What is the most common mistake employers make – and why is it important not to underestimate it?

The biggest mistake is in the mindset "It will not happen to me" or "I only need this for the Labour Inspectorate". Many employers see safety as a formality rather than an investment in their people. It is important not to underestimate this, because the price of compromise is too high. A bitter lesson from my practice is that a small compromise with an employee's health can lead to a serious incident. When you realise that you are one of the reasons for someone getting injured, you understand that there is no such thing as a "small" mistake in our field.

What is the most important thing employers need to do to ensure an optimal working environment for their employees?

They need to stop seeing safety as a pile of documents and start treating it as a value. The most important thing is to build a culture, not just rules. Safety needs to be embedded in the process and understood by people. They should not make compromises with health and safety. They should lead by personal example: when a manager demonstrates a different perspective and stands by principles, the team follows. Ultimately, the optimal environment is one in which everyone feels well and knows that their health is protected.

Sofia, 42 Stefan Stambolov Blvd, entrance А, floor 1, apt 2 
02 971 90 56
office@asclub.org
www.asclub.org