CSBP Senior Process Engineer, Peter Hein had an explosive start with WesCEF 30 years ago, when he joined Dyno Wesfarmers, CSBP’s explosives joint venture in Sydney.
It was a role that saw him working on an ammonium nitrate plant in the Philippines and exploring expansion opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region, before transferring to Kwinana to work in Chems East with sodium cyanide and chlorine production.
Peter was soon asked to assist with prill quality issues in the old Ammonium Nitrate (AN) Prill Plant (PP), drawing on the global network of expertise he’d built through his time with Dyno Wesfarmers and other joint ventures before that.
“It was a rewarding period and I’ve since been able to witness CSBP’s remarkable growth – from a modest prill plant fed by one nitric acid unit to Prill Plant 2, which now processes output from three ever expanding nitric acid plants,” he said.
It was during his time with AN in Prill Plant 1 that Peter developed a strong passion for improving safety and awareness around AN.
“This was driven by a few global incidents, and the understanding that we must always be careful and not become complacent when working with AN.”
It’s the people he’s worked with over the years that have been one of the most rewarding parts of the job for Peter.
“I’ve worked with so many great people at CSBP and I truly still enjoy coming here each day, largely because of them,” he said.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to build up a global network of friends in the ammonium nitrate and nitric acid world – people that I continue to draw on both professionally and personally today.”
Spending time with friends and family outside of work has been equally important throughout Peter’s 30 year career.
“I’m a passionate, though very average, golfer and spend a lot of time at Melville Glades Golf Club in Leeming, where I’ve made some great friends over the years,” he said.
“My greatest joy, however, is spending time with my wife, Jean, our four children, and three grandchildren.”
Congratulations on your 30 year milestone Peter and thanks for your outstanding contribution to the business and safety over the years!