Stories What customers don’t see: The safety leader behind safer workplaces and better products

“If the workplace isn’t safe, the product isn’t either.”

That’s how Wang Qi sees it. As Deputy EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) Manager at Sinar Mas Agribusiness and Food China in Ningbo, Wang doesn’t just manage policies and protocols. He protects people.

For him, safety isn’t just about checklists or compliance. It’s about making sure every person gets home safe, every day. It’s about creating the conditions for quality work, stable operations, and reliable products.

Safety as the foundation for everything

With over 13 years in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS), Wang Qi doesn’t see his work as being behind the scenes. “It’s the foundation,” he says. “It’s what allows everything else to run well.”

From preventing accidents to reducing costly downtime, a strong EHS system keeps things running smoothly, not just for the business, but for the customers who rely on it.

“EHS is not a cost centre,” Wang explains. “It adds value by preventing problems before they impact performance.”

Since joining the team, Wang has led improvements in safety systems across the site: standardising signage, risk notifications, and operating procedures to make safety visible and actionable for everyone.

A day in the life: On the ground, not behind a desk

For Wang, safety starts early – before the machines do, and before emails start rolling in. Each morning, he walks the site, focusing on high-risk areas. He reviews permits, checks on contractors, and speaks directly with operators.

“You can’t manage safety from a desk,” he says. “You have to be where the work happens.”

His mornings are filled with inspections and hazard checks. Afternoons are for training sessions, reviewing emergency plans, updating policies, and auditing risk controls.

His goal is simple: fewer incidents, stronger systems, safer teams.

“Spotting problems is just part of it,” Wang explains. “The real work is building habits. When people know how to notice hazards and speak up, safety becomes part of the culture.”

Why safety matters to customers, too

Wang may not be designing products or closing sales, but he knows his work directly impacts what customers receive. “When people feel safe, they focus better. They care more. That’s how we ensure quality,” he says.

He sees EHS as a stabiliser: it reduces variability, helps team stay sharp, and keeps operations predictable. That’s good for business – and even better for customers.

“You may not see safety on the surface,” he says. “But you’ll feel it in the product quality, the timing, and the trust.”

Creating a culture of shared responsibility

Wang Qi believes safety works best when everyone owns it.

That’s why he focuses on building a culture where people care. From launching visual signage systems to training campaigns, he’s helping turn safety into a shared mindset.

During China’s National Safety Month, he led a company-wide hazard awareness campaign that brought people from finance to engineering into friendly competition. “Some people joined just for fun, but they left with real curiosity about safety,” he recalls. “That shift – that curiosity – is what we’re aiming for.”

Off the clock, Wang’s commitment doesn’t stop. He follows the latest EHS trends, tracks new policies, and shares what he learns with his family. “I want the world to be safer for my family, too,” he says. “That starts with what we do at work and the values we bring home.”

A safe workplace is the bedrock of quality products and consistent performance. Learn more about our dedication to EHS excellence and how it drives value for everyone.