Case Studies

Imran, your H&S career spans over 20 years. What made you decide to pursue a career in health and safety?
My early career was spent in emergency response and rescue services. Witnessing the impact workplace incidents can have on individuals and their families inspired me to seek a career focussed on prevention, which led me to health and safety.

Working in the oil and gas industry, I soon realised the immense responsibility HSE professionals have for protecting  workers. The good thing though is this responsibility generates the sense of pride and achievement you get from making a difference to people’s lives. This opportunity to safeguard lives and improve safety culture has kept me committed to the profession for over two decades.

You completed your first NEBOSH qualification, the International General Certificate, in 2010:

• Why did you choose this qualification? – I felt that the NEBOSH International General Certificate was the ideal starting point for deepening my occupational health and safety knowledge. Its global recognition and comprehensive curriculum provided me with the foundation I required to implement effective safety measures in high-risk oil and gas environments.

• How did achieving this qualification help you? -The qualification significantly enhanced my understanding of risk assessment, hazard control, and safety regulations. It also helped me transition into leadership roles by building my confidence and competence to manage workplace safety effectively.

Most of your career has been spent working for drilling companies. Are there any specific safety considerations in this industry?
Yes, the oil and gas drilling sector has safety challenges that are not present in all workplaces, including high-pressure operations, hazardous chemicals, confined space work, working at heights, working in extreme weather conditions and the mental pressure that comes with having to run safe and efficient operations 24/7.

The environments where oil and gas drilling take place can also bring health and safety considerations too. Over the years, I’ve gained experience across various challenging settings including onshore operations in mountainous regions, fields, jungles, deserts, and high-security risk zones.

The industry requires rigorous safety protocols, continuous monitoring, and strict compliance with international safety standards to mitigate the risks with these high-risk operations.

What challenges does offshore work create?

Offshore work presents several challenges, including:

• being in a remote location – this creates logistical challenges getting resources and services on site, including emergency services.
• working in harsh environmental conditions – we must consider the impact of adverse weather, high winds, the high heat index and extreme temperatures on our workers and operations.
• extended work rotations – our teams can be away from home for long periods of time. This can have an impact on their mental health and fatigue levels which we need to actively monitor.
• evacuation constraints – working offshore adds extra complexity to emergency evacuations due to the logistical challenges faced.

Managing these risks requires a competent team, robust safety training, emergency preparedness, and mental health support programmes.

You are a dual NEBOSH Diploma holder, having completed the International Diploma in Environmental Management in 2023 and the Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals in 2024:

• Why did you choose these qualifications? – It has been a long-term goal of mine to complete these NEBOSH Diplomas. I had started studying both qualifications previously but stopped after securing a new role in January 2013. At that time, my focus had to be on getting to grips with my new responsibilities and establishing myself in my new company, which meant I could not commit the time necessary to my studies. My aspirations did not go away though, and in 2022 I decided the time was right to sign up for both qualifications once again. Working offshore adds extra complexity when planning things, but I calculated that my rotation would fit in with the course schedules. I decided to work towards completing the Environmental qualification in 2023 and the Health and Safety qualification in 2024.

• How did you find studying at Diploma Level? – It was both challenging and rewarding. It required deep analytical thinking, extensive research, and practical application of knowledge. Balancing work and study was demanding, but the knowledge gained was invaluable in shaping my professional approach to HSE management which made everything worthwhile.

• How has achieving these qualifications helped you? - These qualifications have given me in-depth knowledge, which has boosted my confidence. Beyond that, I truly enjoy implementing the knowledge I have gained to real-world scenarios. As an example, I received manual handling training in 2013 and had even completed the instructor-level certification. I trained crew members thousands of times, but it was only during my Diploma studies that I fully understood the actual calculations and the science behind it. This deeper understanding allowed me to refine my training approach, which in turn improved workplace safety. There are many more examples I could quote that illustrate how my Diploma studies have enhanced my professional practice.

Can you tell us about your current role and responsibilities?

Since 2019, I have worked for a leading provider of drilling services in the Middle East, known for its commitment to safety and operational excellence. As HSE Lead, my role involves overseeing offshore safety operations, implementing HSE strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a proactive safety culture across all offshore drilling projects.

I get to work on a range of projects and environments including onshore rig erection and commissioning, offshore operations on mobile offshore drilling units and self-propelled rigs, as well as shipyard-based offshore start-up projects.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the health and safety profession?
The main source of enjoyment that I get from my work is when our people return home safely to their families. Knowing that my efforts contribute to creating a safer work environment and help to prevent incidents, gives me immense satisfaction.

I also enjoy mentoring young professionals, driving continuous improvement, and influencing organisational safety culture to create lasting positive change.

What advice would you give someone pursuing a health and safety career?

• Gain strong foundational knowledge - start with recognised certifications like the NEBOSH International General Certificate
• Obtain practical experience – seek opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Applying your knowledge will help you deepen your understanding and retention of what you read.
• Stay updated and keep learning - safety regulations and industry trends are always evolving so find ways to keep up to speed
• Improve your soft skills are important too - effective communication, leadership and influence are crucial skills for HSE professionals.
• Show your passion – Health and safety should not just be viewed as a job. For me, it’s important to be passionate about safety and worker wellbeing and to show this. Being passionate will help you maintain the drive for continuous improvement and to influence others to get on board. Having passion and commitment is key to success in this field.