Case Studies

“No two days are the same,” she told us. “New challenges and issues come up all the time, meaning I have to draw on my experience and everything I've learned from my studies.”

Helen has been working at Innospec since 2001. Before then, in 1994, she graduated from De Montfort University with a first class honours degree in Chemistry and Business Studies. From there she took on various roles, from sales executive to technical manager, within both the waste and chemical industries.

It was in the late 1990s, as a technical manager for a waste management company, that Helen began to take on more environmental and workplace safety responsibilities. She helped with the successful implementation of ISO14001 systems, and started carrying out regular health and safety audits. One of the first steps Helen took when she began this role was taking her NEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.

When Helen was taken on by her current employer, they were involved in the development of a waste treatment plant. Various SHE licences and permits were needed and as technical development manager Helen ensured the necessary procedures were in place. At the same time she took her NEBOSH Environmental Diploma and passed with distinction. At the time her main responsibilities were environmental.

After a few years a member of the SHE corporate team, who was a health and safety specialist, retired. Helen’s employers suggested she expand her knowledge and take the NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health. She passed in 2009 with distinction.

Helen admits that she found the Diploma quite challenging. She even decided “no more studying,” but it only took a little over a year for her to change her mind. Fire safety was featuring more in her role, so she decided to add the NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management to her already impressive list of qualifications.

She found the course extremely useful. In particular, Helen had been tasked with carrying out fire risk assessments at work. The practical element of the qualification included carrying out a fire inspection in the workplace. She feels she really benefited from the expert guidance of her course providers, Merseyside Fire and Rescue.

Overall, she excelled. In fact Helen gained the highest mark of 2011/12 and was presented with an award at the recent NEBOSH Annual Graduation Ceremony at Warwick University.

As well as gaining vital knowledge, Helen’s latest NEBOSH qualification and her high mark have given her recognition at work. In a corporate-wide communication Innospec’s President and CEO, Patrick Williams, said: “Helen’s dedication to continued development, particularly in the area of safety, is an example to all of us, and I am delighted that she has been rewarded with such a high honour.”

Praise indeed!