Elizardo Mercado Jr is a Filipino Safety Professional based in Qatar, primarily working in the maintenance sector. He has been involved in non-profit filipino safety organisations, supporting aspiring and new safety professionals in their careers. He also manages a social channel focused on sharing safety insights, guidelines, and relevant information. These platforms have become meaningful chance for him to connect with safety professionals around the world, fostering a global network of shared learning and support.

His practices include: - Safety through connection and building friendship: Focused on building strong relationships at work to encourage better health and safety participation. In a project with a small team under a high-standard client, collaboration and synergy significantly improved safety engagement. - Understanding first: Bridging gaps through listening and collaboration emphasised the importance of understanding before being understood. He actively listened to workers and acknowledged operational budget concerns, helping him develop practical, realistic safety solutions. This approach made safety proposals more achievable and relevant, improving both safety compliance and collaboration between safety and operations. - Commitment beyond challenges: Continued supporting fellow Filipino safety professionals through a non-profit organisation by conducting safety training and sharing practical knowledge. Despite facing job loss in Q2 of 2024, he remained committed to safety by creating content for his vlog and developing short online safety course. These resources aimed to guide and empower both beginners and experienced professionals.

His initiatives include: - Leading from within: He focused on his circle of influence to concentrate on controllable factors to drive change. He introduced practical, simple safety proposals aligned with operational needs and budget constraints, making safety compliance more achievable and collaborative in environments with limited safety culture. - Discipline in the details: He adopted a structured personal safety routine inspired by lean processes. He incorporated a 15-minute reading sessions every hour to continuously improve his own knowledge. His manager recognised and supported this practice when he noticed Elizardo Mercado Jr reading a safety book at the back of the smoking area, reinforcing his belief in consistent self-development for safety excellence. - Simplifying safety: He developed free risk assessment training, a simple, free risk assessment course aimed at workers with limited resources or budgets. The training is practical, and detailed, helping individuals assess risks without the need for costly resources. - Planning and scheduling: He integrated safety scheduling with operations to avoid disruptions, improve productivity, and enhance safety. He introduced structured toolbox discussions based on observed trends, data, and incidents, making them more standardised and relevant to real-world scenarios, rather than relying on casual, ineffective talks.

This year, Elizardo Mercado Jr's initiatives had an impact on safety and health management within his workplace and beyond. By focusing on his "circle of influence", he introduced simple, practical safety proposals that aligned with operational needs and budget constraints. This approach helped bridge the gap between safety and operations, making safety compliance more achievable and collaborative, particularly in environments with limited safety culture. As others have said, "at the end of the day, we are all in one basket, so we need to work together as one". Additionally, he adopted a disciplined personal safety routine and lean processes, incorporating small daily learning sessions to continually improve his own knowledge and reinforce his commitment to safety excellence. One memorable instance was when his manager saw him reading alone in the smoking area—this moment underscored the importance of consistent self-development in safety. Finally, he developed and offered a short course on risk assessment, making it accessible to his followers. These initiatives not only increased individual engagement with safety practices but also fostered a proactive, safety-conscious mindset. Beyond financial gains, he believes in giving back—sharing his skills and knowledge with others to help them grow.

The initiatives Elizardo Mercado Jr implemented this year have had a meaningful and positive impact on the safety and health management within his workplace and the broader community. By focusing on simplicity and accessibility, he helped break down complex safety concepts and procedures, making them easier to understand and apply. Developing the risk assessment course was one of the key elements of this approach, as it allowed him to reach a larger audience, from workers to safety professionals, and empowered them to make informed decisions regarding risk management. In addition, his focus on building relationships and fostering collaboration between safety and operations significantly improved the safety culture within the team. By aligning safety proposals with operational needs and budget considerations, he was able to bridge gaps that improve safety performance. These efforts resulted in greater safety engagement, better compliance with safety practices, and a noticeable improvement in overall safety performance. He also fostered a mindset of continuous improvement within the team, encouraging his team to adopt consistent, small daily changes that add up over time both personal annd their career. His initiatives created a proactive, safety-conscious work environment that positively influenced both individual and organisational performance.

Elizardo Mercado Jr begins by sharing the story of a man with a dream of working abroad. This young man is eager to experience new cultures, work with people from different nationalities, and grow both professionally and personally. However, his journey wasn’t easy. He was initially rejected due to medical reasons, with doctors telling him that he would never be able to work abroad in his lifetime. This devastating news left him feeling hopeless. Despite this setback, he refused to accept his limitations and worked on improving his health and skills. He pushed through the challenges, trying again and again. Eventually, his perseverance paid off, and he achieved his dream of working abroad. This story is a powerful reminder that no one can label you unless you accept it yourself. There is always a way forward, and you control your destiny. Focus on your potential, and never give up. This man’s name is Elizardo Mercado Jr. In his work, he reflects these same qualities. A safety influencer doesn’t simply follow the rules—they inspire others to take responsibility for their well-being and health. It’s about developing a shared safety mindset, empowering others to lead with understanding, and continuously improving. This, he believe, is the essence of being a true safety influencer.