Abby Ferri
Abby Ferri epitomizes the B Words in so many ways. She is breaking down barriers for women in construction and safety and uses all aspects of social media to connect, inspire, and challenge the future generation of safety professionals. Abby is a host of the Safety Justice League Podcast that provides cutting edge interviews with diverse, interesting people covering a variety of topics that finally break down some of the traditional, out of date safety concepts. As if that isn’t enough, Abby works full time as a risk engineer for Gallagher and is a hands-on mom and wife. Abby is creating life on her own terms and living the premise of self-defined success.
Here is Abby’s story:
TK: How did you get started in the safety/construction industry?
AF: While working for a construction company during college, I learned about safety as a profession and changed course from exercise science and cardiac rehabilitation to earning a masters in environmental health and safety. As the only one in my class interested in construction, I had my pick of interviews and was hired before graduation. Moving from northern Minnesota to southern California was an easy decision!
TK: How did you start your podcast?
AF: It was a "pandemic project" that presented itself after collaborating with the Jasons and other safety professionals for #askasafetypro videos on LinkedIn. We went from selfie videos that one person edited together to going all audio. We felt that safety pros longed for community, even before COVID, and the response to the podcast has confirmed that. We love being able to selfishly pick guests WE want to speak with, who usually are not safety pros. The outside perspectives have been really interesting and have delivered value to our fellow safety pros too.
TK: What was it like working in a male-dominated industry as a young female starting out in your career?
AF: When I look back on it now, I cringe about some interactions and treatment! Overall, it was a positive experience as I'm the type who seeks out challenges. The biggest challenge was actually being a young safety pro in an industry that was still viewing safety as a necessary evil, often keeping me in the dark on upcoming work I could have been an asset to in planning. I grew a LOT in the profession in the first 5 years by having supervisors who empowered me to network with other safety pros, further my education, and entrusted me with projects that raised my profile to people in all levels of the organizations.
TK: You have been very active regarding inclusion in the workplace. What is the difference between inclusion and diversity? Which comes first?
AF: Just having (or attempting to have) a diverse workforce isn't enough. An atmosphere must be created and maintained that ensures perspectives can be brought up and discussed, even when the subject matter is challenging. Inclusion must come first, and this is where some organizations are currently getting it wrong. Some companies have finally found some self awareness and realize they do not have a diverse workforce, but haven't thought about WHY before reaching out to populations they usually wouldn't actively recruit.
“Just having a diverse workforce isn’t enough. An atmosphere must be created and maintained that ensures perspectives can be brought up and discussed, even when the subject matter is challenging.”
TK: You are active on the ASSP WISE women’s leadership initiative. Tell me about some of the work related to PPE for women.
AF: I'm currently Vice Chair of the ASSP/ISEA Z590.6 Technical Report Committee working on a document titled "Guidance for the Fit and Selection of Personal Protective Equipment and Apparel Available for Women." PPE is such a visible thing, that it appears to be the first problem we can solve. Besides PPE fit, WISE leadership identified two other areas of focus for the Women's Workplace Safety Summit in the fall of 2018 - workplace violence and the low numbers of women in executive leadership in safety. During my four years in elected WISE leadership, I feel the needle was moved on these issues by elevating them to the board level at ASSP and other organizations. The ASSP/ISEA Z590.6 Technical Report is forthcoming in the first half of 2021.
TK: Do you think women are advancing and making progress? If so how?
AF: Absolutely, but it is disheartening that as awareness is raised and we feel we're advancing the topics of representation in leadership, for example, to see all-male panels at industry events. It's important as women to keep active and engaged, and equally important is the role of our allies who aren't women. Taking the all-male panel example further, because it is still so common, what should a man do when he finds himself on an all-male panel? My hope is that our male allies will have the self-awareness to know they're on an all-male panel and that is not representative of our industry. Then, they have options - notify the organizers, give up their seat, suggest one or more people who are not male to take the seat. The key is to do something, and not just throw up your hands and say it's too late. It's never too late, especially in this era of virtual events.
WISE and myself have made solutions easy by compiling a directory of speakers from our membership. A man on an all-male panel at a safety event recently compiled a list of women safety professional authors, their books and articles.
I will not feel that we've truly progressed until it's NOT uncommon to see women in VP and other executive roles in safety.
TK: How do you prioritize career and children? Any tips?
AF: We talk about priorities vs. values in safety all the time. By framing the question with "prioritize" it automatically signals that the priority changes. On the micro daily and weekly level, my daughter's needs are often prioritized over career, especially in this age of virtual school from home. Sometimes a lesson needs more explanation or she just needs a hug and a quiet moment. It's been a tough go since this spring, and I am not in a position to give advice, only encouragement to others in the same situation - we can only do the best we can each day.
I've found that when I prioritize overall health, that even the act of eating more healthy and getting an extra hour of sleep (by not scrolling social media before bed) can set up the entire household for success. However, the definition of success may need to be revisited or altered by the hour some days!!
When looking at the macro level and the ability to balance career and family, choosing an employer that shares your values is huge! It's a difficult thing to do when many of us are trying to hold our jobs, but if an employer doesn't share your goals in maintaining a career and a family, the work relationship will always be strained and stressful. If you're actively looking for a new position, reach out to women who have worked at the employers on your short list, ask the hard questions! This is why I love WISE and similar groups for women in our industry - we will talk REAL with each other so we can be armed with the best information possible to make a solid choice for our career path and lifestyle.
TK: Thoughts on how COVID will change the safety industry.
AF: I have high hopes that safety pros are rising to this challenge and employers will not be able to return to times that they did not have a seat at "the table" for us. The cynic in me says we still have a long way to go to solidify that position of influence. That's why I am not only a safety pro but also view safety communication as my hobby. The more that the layperson understands that there are safety professionals at work in their community and organization whose responsibility is ensuring THEIR safety, the easier it will be for safety pros to do our best work.
