Khaila has been with Macmahon for almost a year. Her day begins well before sunrise. During Ramadan, she starts at 4:30 AM, sharing her pre-dawn sahur meal with her family before preparing for the day ahead.
“Workplace safety is a non-negotiable priority.”
Getting ready is a thorough process. Helmet, high-vis, and personal safety gear must be completely accounted for. Her commute to the shelter by motorbike serves as her mental preparation, giving her time to “switch on” and focus before the shift begins. Once she arrives by bus, she joins her crew at the main area for the Macmahon pre-start meeting to align on the day’s tasks and safety conditions.
For Khaila, operating heavy machinery means taking total ownership of her environment. Her first major task on site is a rigorous pre-start vehicle inspection.
“Ensuring my vehicle is in prime condition is my way of taking responsibility for my own safety and the safety of the colleagues around me.”
Beyond the heavy equipment, it is the site culture and support systems that make the biggest difference. Khaila highly values the well-maintained facilities provided on site, including comfortable rest areas and dedicated prayer rooms that allow her to balance her faith and work seamlessly. More than anything, she credits Macmahon’s professional atmosphere with helping her grow.
“What I appreciate the most is the culture of openness at Macmahon. Our voices as employees are heard, and every field issue is always met with a collaborative, professional solution. I’ve learned that discipline and team support mean every challenge can be faced.”
It’s a mindset that keeps her vigilant through every haul cycle, knowing that in a high-risk environment, prevention is everything.
“Because if anything happens due to negligence, there’s nothing more you can do about it.”
Khaila’s story reflects the core values of Macmahon’s International surface operations, where safety is a shared responsibility, diverse backgrounds are supported by excellent facilities, and an open culture empowers operators to speak up and look out for one another.
