Team Spotlight: HSE Officer Petru Baetu

Today, we are happy to shine a spotlight on a fantastic member of our team, who, since joining BenBau in June, has been nothing but positive on the shape of our Swedish operations.

As our Group Environmental, Health and Safety Manager Dexter Slabbert says: “He assisted with the development of various HSE deliverables that helped shape our current systems today. He’s a really cool guy to collaborate with on inner departmental objectives.”

To celebrate Petru’s achievements, we asked him five quick questions:

1. Where are you from and what did you study at University?

I’m originally from a small rural village in Romania, in the old region of Moldova called Puscasi. To pursue my studies, I moved to Iași, a beautiful and vibrant student city, where I lived in a college dormitory. I attended Alexandru Ioan Cuza University and got a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and European Studies.

2. What do you like about working at BenBau?

What I enjoy most about working at BenBau is the people. The team is supportive, professional, and always willing to collaborate, which creates a very positive working environment. As an HSE Officer, I appreciate that safety is taken seriously across all levels of the company, not just as a requirement but as a shared responsibility.

It’s rewarding to work in a place where you feel heard and where your input genuinely helps improve standards on site. Being part of a team that values wellbeing and continuous improvement motivates me every day.

3. What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced on the job?

Construction sites are fast-paced, and there is often pressure to meet deadlines; sometimes, there is pressure to prioritise productivity over safety. My responsibility is to ensure that safety always comes first, even when deadlines are tight. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges in my role is influencing people’s mindset around safety. I take pride in being present on site, having open conversations, and supporting the team to make the right decisions, even when it’s not the easiest option.

4. How do you think your role will change in the future?

I think my role will continue to evolve from mainly monitoring and enforcing safety rules to being more involved in coaching and prevention. In the future, I see myself focusing even more on building a strong safety culture, where everyone feels responsible for their own safety and for their colleagues.

With new technologies, digital reporting systems, and smarter safety tools being introduced, I believe my role will also become more data-driven, helping to identify trends and prevent incidents before they happen.

5. Tell me an unusual fact about yourself?

Sometimes I remember random facts read many years ago, but forget where I put my keys.