Asbjørn is the department head for access technology, responsible for 70 safety leaders and aspirants. In total, there are approximately 180 certified access technicians at Beerenberg. These personnel handle all types of tasks on our offshore and onshore installations, high and low.
Tell us a bit about your journey at Beerenberg and how you ended up as the department head for our access technicians!
I joined the company as an unskilled surface worker and had my first day of work on Gullfaks B in February 2007. After about a year, I had a trip to Snorre A where a chance encounter with a climbing team gave me insight into the field, and from that day on, I began seeking knowledge on how I could become a climber myself.
I gradually climbed the ranks, and after several years as an apprentice, the need for more personnel arose, and I was elevated to the position of safety supervisor. As an apprentice and safety supervisor, I have traveled extensively and worked alongside many of our climbers, giving me a unique insight into the challenges and opportunities of access technology, which I now greatly benefit from as a department head.
How did you react when your name was announced as the winner in this category?
I was naturally very happy, but immediately thought that this recognition could have been shared with many others. I work with many talented individuals, and I know that without them, I wouldn't have been able to perform my job as well.
What do you consider the most important aspect of your job?
I have always been committed to adhering to regulations and procedures. Access technology is a rigid and regulation-driven field, for good reason. Our training model and competency requirements for team composition ensure that we have a fundamental and good understanding of working safely, and anyone who has climbed for a while knows and understands why we prioritize safety as our highest priority.
It's important for me to be available when someone faces challenges or needs assistance from me. People should feel cared for and receive proper answers to questions regarding tasks, wages, timekeeping, rotation, vacation scheduling, or climbing equipment. My phone is always on, and I aim to be there when someone needs it.
The access department also consists of a technical supervisor, course coordinator, and equipment and warehouse manager. We have close and effective collaboration, assisting each other regarding the use and understanding of regulations and focusing on continuous improvement in everything we do.
When do you enjoy your job the most?
Even though I appreciate strict regulations, one of the most enjoyable aspects of climbing is being creative and solution-oriented. Our climbers perform maintenance work in areas with difficult access, where efficiency and safety are paramount. If we can increase both efficiency and safety levels through creative use of ropes, it creates an exciting combination.
I constantly juggle multiple tasks, and it's always a satisfying feeling when I manage to solve some of them. Even though some challenges may seem daunting at first, it's incredibly rewarding to see solutions work and make everyday life easier for others.
What do you do outside of work?
I have three wonderful girls (one of whom is my wife), with the oldest daughter having moved away from home to study. As a family, we cherish close experiences and have spent much of our free time together on the sea and in the mountains. However, most of the time, we enjoy ourselves at home, where we feel very comfortable.
Highlighting Important Values
Group Director for Business Support, Gro Hatleskog believes that recognizing talented individuals with the kind of attitudes that Asbjørn exemplifies is an important part of the company's competence development program, "Invest in people".
"By valuing employees who are both focused on delivering results and including colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes, we demonstrate that such values are important for the company both now and in the future," says Gro Hatleskog
.
Hatleskog adds that this also positively impacts the work environment.
"We want a vibrant and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and see themselves as contributors to the company's development. This is important both for creating good results for the company and for being an interesting workplace for our employees."
Gro Hatleskog