In this post from the “I AM ZACHRY” series Frank Sarabia puts a high priority on safety, but also talks about the company’s flexibility when it comes to the job that people are asked to do.

My first job was as a rice farmer in Mexico but I didn’t see any future in it. So I came to the United States at the age of 21 and eventually got a job at the INEOS Chocolate Bayou chemical plant in Alvin, Texas.

I have a total of 30 years at the plant, starting as a laborer, but building myself up with experience. I’m now an insulator and boilermaker, concrete finisher and rodbuster, and whenever other groups need help, they pull me in.

The most enjoyable part of my job is that we focus on safety first and foremost. I’ve been on jobs where they just want to get it done — and don’t care about safety. That’s not us.

We have a PRIDE team that sets an example for safety, recognizing a foreman of the month, employees of the month, and people who report unsafe conditions. I’ve been on that team since Zachry took over in 2005, and if I see a worker who’s doing something unsafe, I stop them. No matter who it is — even someone with high authority.

I also like Zachry because they give you the opportunity to change jobs without repercussions. They moved me to supervise the fire watches and laborers. It was an office job, working with computers, and I did it for nine months. But I wanted to work with my tools. So I asked for my old job back, and they did it, no problem. I’ve known other companies who wouldn’t have done that. So that’s one of the reasons that I AM ZACHRY.