Published 2024-07-09
Martin Johansen, or The Norwegian Earth Mover as he is called in social media, worked for twenty years as an ambulance paramedic before he decided to do something new. The choice fell on a position as a machine operator at Skolt Pukkverk A/S in Norway, and now tens of thousands of people follow him in his everyday life as a "stone hammerer".
Why did you become a machine operator?
– I had seen enough of injured and sick people. Being a paramedic is a tough profession emotionally, and I needed to find something new to develop within. But the time in the ambulance taught me a huge amount about safety and how important it is to have the right kind of preparation to avoid accidents. You must never think "I'm just going to..." because suddenly luck fails and something serious happens.
– The reason I became a machine operator, is because I have always loved big machines. To be able to drive them and work in the environments that I do now, is an old childhood dream come true.
Do you benefit from your background?
– Yes absolutely. As a paramedic I have been to quite a few accidents on construction sites, and I have seen what can happen if you fail in safety procedures or have the wrong type of safety equipment. I hope to use my social media status to influence young people in the industry to take care of themselves and value their personal safety. You must choose an employer who takes responsibility. Anyone who feels secure in their workplace is happy, and when you are happy, you perform at your best.
What risks are you exposed to during working hours?
– Rocks that shatters over the machine when I am hammering granite blocks. This comes with the everyday work in a quarry, of course, but it is important that you have your machine equipped with safety windows that can withstand that type of projectiles. A sharp stone at high speed can cause serious personal injury if it goes through the window.
What are your thoughts about Hammerglass?
– The influence work that you do for machine operators worldwide is extremely important, and I would like to be part of that journey and contribute to a change. I also think it is important to highlight how much cost is saved, when a machine does not stand still because of a broken glass window.
