Expert Interview: Josh Bennett, Field Services Superintendent
Host: Jen Little, Director of Commercial Operations
In industrial environments, some of the most meaningful symbols are also the simplest. A hard hat may look like just another piece of PPE, but for the field crews at ProcessBarron, it represents something much deeper: safety, experience, pride, and the people behind the work.
In this episode of Powering the Process, host Jen Little sits down with Field Services Superintendent Josh Bennett to discuss the significance behind the hard hat and what it represents in terms of the culture of those who wear it.
Hard Hats, More Than Just Safety Gear
For field crews, putting on a hard hat isn’t just routine; it’s a mindset shift.
Josh describes it as similar to an athlete putting on a helmet before a game. It signals readiness. It’s the first thing you reach for because safety is always the top priority. You might forget something else, but never the hard hat.
While other PPE, like gloves, glasses, and ear protection, tend to be standard and interchangeable, hard hats become personal. Over time, they tell a story.
The Story Behind the Stickers
One of the most recognizable features of a seasoned hard hat is the collection of stickers covering it. Each sticker represents training, project experience, safety milestones, or job site history.
Josh proudly identifies as “a stickers guy,” noting that over his nearly 26-year career, he’s filled multiple hard hats with them.
Those stickers serve several purposes:
- They signal experience — customers and coworkers notice them immediately.
- They represent training and accomplishments.
- They build credibility on a job site.
When crews receive a brand-new hard hat, it can feel like starting over, “like being a rookie again,” Josh says. It often takes years to build that visual record of experience.
Life on the Road
Behind every hard hat is a demanding lifestyle. Field service work requires extensive travel and long stretches away from home.
Some years, crews spend up to 250–300 days on the road supporting plants across the country. In one recent year alone, teams logged more than two million miles while completing thousands of jobs.
This level of commitment requires mental preparation, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.
Leadership, Pride, and Professionalism
For leaders like Josh, the hard hat also represents responsibility, not just for the work, but for the people performing it.
He emphasizes that when leaders demonstrate care for their crews’ safety and professional growth, teams respond with dedication and trust. Showing up fully equipped and ready sends a powerful message of professionalism and pride.
It tells customers and coworkers alike: we know what we’re doing, and we take safety seriously.
Training That Builds Confidence
Another key theme behind the hard hat story is preparation. At ProcessBarron, training is extensive and hands-on.
Crew members have opportunities to earn certifications in areas such as:
- Crane operation
- Emissions compliance
- OSHA safety standards
- Millwright work
- Welding
New employees are also paired with experienced mentors who help guide them, reinforce safety practices, and ensure they build confidence in the field.
A Culture Rooted in Care
Perhaps the most powerful insight from the conversation is what the hard hat symbolizes culturally.
Each day begins with a moment of prayer and focus before work starts, reinforcing a shared commitment to safety and looking out for one another.
That sense of connection is why Josh describes the company simply:
“ProcessBarron is family.”
The Meaning Behind the Helmet
At first glance, a hard hat is just protective equipment. But for those who wear it daily, it carries meaning far beyond its function.
It represents:
- A commitment to safety
- Years of earned experience
- Pride in craftsmanship
- Trust among teammates
- Dedication to the job and the people beside you
And in the end, that’s what the hard hat story is really about, not the helmet itself, but the people underneath it. Making your output needs our #1 priority! a trusted partner that customers can rely on for decades.
ProcessBarron’s Commitment to Safety
At ProcessBarron, manufacturing excellence is built on precision, accountability, innovation, and people. It’s reflected in award-winning operations, advanced technologies, strong safety practices, and a culture committed to doing things the right way, every time.
Because in industrial manufacturing, excellence isn’t optional. It’s engineered.
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