Saltchuk Honored with Dual Safety Awards from Signal Mutual
February 6, 2025
Hector Rodriguez (left) accepts the Operations Professional of the Year award at the Signal Mutual General Meeting in January.
Saltchuk’s commitment to safety excellence was doubly recognized at Signal Mutual’s January General Meeting in Austin, Texas. The company received the Industry Safety Leadership Award, while Tropical Shipping’s Hector Rodriguez was named Operations Professional of the Year.
The Industry Safety Leadership Award acknowledges Saltchuk’s dedication to workplace safety culture and leadership engagement. Signal Mutual highlighted Saltchuk companies as environments where safety and operations seamlessly integrate, resulting in performance metrics that exceed industry averages.
“We were honored to receive recognition for the incredible work our companies and employees do daily to ensure that every employee returns home safely,” said Lisa McQueen, Saltchuk’s Senior Director of Risk.
For Hector Rodriguez, Operations Manager and Vessel Planner at Tropical Shipping’s San Juan facility, the Operations Professional of the Year award marks another milestone in his distinguished 18-year tenure with the company. The honor recognizes operational professionals who elevate safety standards through personal values and unwavering commitment to preventing workplace injuries.
Rodriguez’s journey to this achievement began in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, where his dedication to safety was first instilled during his military service. “In the Army, you are taught safety first, from day one,” Rodriguez reflects. “You develop your training with one single thing in mind: accomplish your task and bring all your guys back home.”
This military-inspired approach to safety has defined Rodriguez’s leadership at Tropical Shipping, where he has implemented numerous innovative safety initiatives. His recent efforts include retraining warehouse employees on operational and safety requirements, installing peripheral vision mirrors in restricted visibility areas, and developing a tsunami evacuation plan that Tropical and other port operators have adopted.
Rodriguez’s influence extends beyond Tropical Shipping through his role as Chairman of the Security Committee at the Puerto Rico Shipping Association. Through his role with the PRSA, in 2024, he led the Homeland Security Initiative Seminar, bringing together key federal agencies, including HSI, US Customs and Border Protection, US Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.
His commitment to safety was particularly evident during Hurricane Maria in 2017 when his leadership helped maintain operations despite devastating conditions. “While we were working, family members were doing the cooking and taking care of the young ones,” Rodriguez recalls. “We did not miss a sailing. It has been the biggest accomplishment of this team.”
Rodriguez, also a 2024 finalist for the Saltchuk Safety Awards, emphasizes the importance of speaking up about safety concerns. “If we really care about the safety of our colleagues and our own safety, take action,” he advises. Don’t ever hesitate to talk to your first-line supervisor. There is no greater reward than seeing everyone go home safe.”
These awards from Signal Mutual underscore Saltchuk’s broader success in creating a culture where safety is not just a priority but a fundamental value. Through the combined efforts of dedicated professionals like Rodriguez and strong organizational leadership, Saltchuk continues to set industry standards for workplace safety excellence.