Safety With A French Twist Charlene Saez’s Richglen Journey

When Charlene Saez touched down in Australia in 2019, she never imagined her working holiday would stretch beyond a year.

However, a pandemic and a career opportunity would lead the French woman on a new path, one that ultimately shaped her career in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) at Richglen.

“I came to Australia five years ago with my partner, intending to stay for just one year,” Charlene said.

“Our plan was to explore the country, work a bit, and see what adventures we could find.”
But when COVID-19 hit and international borders began closing, Charlene and her partner made the choice to stay.

“It allowed us to continue building a life here in a place that felt safe and full of opportunity, even as the world was shutting down.”

“Australia has become more than just a destination – it’s become home,” she explains, reflecting on time spent exploring and working in Tasmania, Queensland, and Western Australia.

Charlene’s professional journey took a sharp turn when she made the move from social work in France to a trades assistant (TA) role in Australia.

“When I came to Australia and transitioned into mining, I started as a TA and was then given a chance to step into a health and safety role,” Charlene said.

“I embraced the challenges of HSE, and I was eager to learn as much as I could.”

Over the next few years, Charlene worked toward a formal qualification, completing her health and safety diploma between November 2023 and March 2024 while managing the demands of her job during shutdowns.

“This hands-on experience and formal training have made HSE a field I’m truly passionate about,” she says. “I always felt supported by Richglen management.”

For Charlene, fostering a culture of safety begins with communication and leadership.
“It’s about making safety a priority in everything we do,” she says.

She’s a believer in leadership by example, and encourages workers to “stop and think” if something feels unsafe.

“I also encourage a culture of openness where people feel comfortable raising safety concerns and looking out for each other.”

Her proactive approach has proven effective, helping boost safety awareness and reducing risk on-site.

Charlene’s adding a dash of culture into her team’s toolbox talks by introducing a new French word each day.

“This came about as a fun way to bring a bit of my background into our routine and make our toolbox talks more engaging,” she says.

“The response has been great! The team enjoys trying out new words, and it’s become a bit of a friendly challenge to remember each one.

“It’s not just about learning French – it’s a way to build team spirit and make the start of each day a bit more lively.”

Charlene is committed to growing her career and is undergoing further study. Through Richglen, she’s pursuing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, with plans to combine her HSE experience with the new training qualifications.

“My goal is to have a more significant impact in mentoring and guiding others.”

Charlene says anyone interested in pursuing a career in HSE should be proactive in learning and always be curious.

“HSE is a field that’s constantly evolving, so stay up to date with best practices, regulations, and new technologies. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek advice from experienced professionals, and take every opportunity to gain hands-on experience.”

She says safety is about people.

“Building strong relationships with the team is key – understanding people’s concerns and how they work will help you create a safer environment.”

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Richglen HSE Advisor Charlene Saez conducts a toolbox talk with her team at a coal mine in Queensland. 

French woman Charlene Saez is building a life and career in Australia through her HSE role with Richglen. 

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