This months SHEQ Star is Anita Kurusa, Anita was selected as our SHEQ Star because of her unwavering commitment to health and safety, her proactive approach to compliance—especially in high-risk vertical work—and her dedication to thorough training and team support. Over her 12-year journey with JPC, she has continually developed her expertise, leading by example and ensuring that safety is embedded in every aspect of her role. Her leadership and focus on preventing accidents have made a significant impact, making her a standout champion for safety across the company.
Through this interview with Luke Johnson, Head of Health and Safety at Samsic, learn more about Anita and her views on SHEQ.
Background & Experience
Can you tell us a little about your role and how long you’ve been in the industry?
I’ve been with JPC for over 12 years now — I actually started back in June 2012 as a cleaning operative. From there, I progressed to cleaning supervisor, then became a BICSc assessor, and eventually moved into contract management in 2017. In 2021, I stepped into the role of senior contract manager, and in 2024, I transitioned into my current role in account management. It’s been quite a journey over the past 12 years, and I’ve grown so much along the way.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No two days are exactly the same, but a typical day usually involves a mix of team meetings, visiting various sites, handling client requests, and staying on top of admin tasks. I also deal with accident reports when they come through and work closely with teams of varying sizes, depending on the site. It’s a busy role, but I enjoy the variety and being able to support both the clients and our teams on the ground.
Best Practices & Advice
What are the most common health and safety risks in your job?
One of the most common health and safety risks we deal with is related to window cleaning — it’s a vertical high-risk job, so ensuring all safety measures are followed is crucial. Subcontractor compliance is another area we monitor closely, as well as making sure all staff receive the right training. A lack of proper training can lead to accidents, so we put a strong focus on prevention and keeping everyone informed and equipped to work safely.
What steps do you take to make sure you and your team stay safe at work?
For me, safety always starts with a thorough induction. I didn’t come from a cleaning background originally, so I understand how important that first stage of training is in helping people adjust to the environment. We make sure every team member goes through a detailed company induction as well as site-specific inductions. Risk assessments are also a key part of our safety process — they help us identify potential hazards early and put the right controls in place to keep everyone safe.
Supervisors play a crucial role in our operations — they really need to lead by example. It’s not just about managing tasks; it’s about setting the tone for the team, demonstrating the right behaviours, and being a reliable source of support. Having competent, proactive supervisors makes a huge difference in how smoothly things run on site and how supported our teams feel day to day.
What advice would you give to new employees about staying safe on the job?
My biggest piece of advice to new employees is to take your time — don’t rush into anything. Make sure you fully understand the procedures before starting a task. It’s always better to ask questions and double-check than to take risks. Safety comes from knowledge and confidence, and that starts with proper training and taking things step by step.
Achievements & Impact
Can you share an example of a time when you went above and beyond to ensure health and safety in your workplace?
I play a crucial role in ensuring vertical compliance, which is a significant part of our health and safety responsibilities. One example that stands out is when I was heavily involved in the onboarding of CBA Rope Access. It was essential that everything met our strict safety standards — from documentation to training and equipment checks. I worked closely with the team to make sure all compliance measures were in place before any work started. It was a detailed process, but ensuring that level of safety is non-negotiable when it comes to high-risk tasks like rope access.
What’s a health and safety improvement you’ve made that you’re particularly proud of?
One improvement I’m particularly proud of is how I’ve developed my own understanding of compliance over time, especially when it comes to vertical work. It’s a high-risk area that requires constant attention to detail and up-to-date knowledge. I’ve taken the initiative to build my expertise in this space, which has helped strengthen our processes and ensure we’re not just meeting standards, but often exceeding them.
Future of Health & Safety in Your Industry
Are there any safety tools, equipment, or training programs that have made a big difference in your work?
There are a few key tools and training programs that have made a big impact on how I approach health and safety. The IOSH training really helped build a solid foundation of knowledge, and our LMS Portal has been great for ongoing learning. We use contractor monitoring through eCat to ensure everyone working with us is fully compliant. Together, these resources have strengthened both my own capability and our overall safety performance, and of course the support of the SHEQ team who are always on call for advice and support.
Closing
What motivates you to be so committed to safety in your role?
What drives my commitment to safety is a strong sense of responsibility — I want to make sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day. It’s about caring for the wellbeing of my team and everyone on site, knowing that the work we do can carry real risks. Keeping safety front and centre isn’t just a job requirement; it’s a personal priority
