Case Studies

Mark, I can see you have worked for Tesco for the past 35 years. Can you tell us a little bit about the organisation? 

Tesco is predominantly a retail company that sells and distributes both food and non-food goods in the UK, Ireland and Europe. 

Your current job title is People Safety Manager. What does this entail? 

In my current role my focus is to support stores to ensure everyone, every day, gets home safely.  As you would imagine, this means my role is varied which I like! I coach, I answer general health and safety queries, I deal with environmental health officers, I review risk assessments and investigate incidents to reduce the likelihood that accidents will occur. 

Can you tell us about your previous professional experience and what led you to the role that you are in today?

Immediately prior to moving into the head office health and safety team, I was a compliance manager for Tesco retail. In this role I dealt with compliance matters at store level, including accident prevention and investigation, food hygiene and licencing and pricing law.  When the opportunity to join the safety team at Tesco head office came up, it seemed a natural progression to make. 

What made you initially study the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety? And how did this help you support your career at the time? 

Tesco recognises the benefits to be gained from encouraging and supporting colleagues in key roles to complete the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.  When I signed up the expectation was that taking this qualification would give me a good grounding in health and safety, which would mean I could better advise my colleagues. 

More recently you have recently completed your NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals.

• Why did you take this qualification?

The NEBOSH General Certificate had given me a good foundation in health and safety, but I wanted to take my studies further. I wanted to gain further in-depth health and safety knowledge which I felt the NEBOSH Diploma would do as it is a recognised and regarded higher level qualification. 

Now, if I was asked to explain what the Diploma gives you, I would say it’s the ability to both understand the need to protect and make safe and how to quantify if something is safe and complies with the law.

• Did you enjoy the qualification? 

With any qualification you get out what you put in, and my Diploma experience was no different!  Building knowledge and experience were key drivers for me, and it certainly delivered that.  This qualification will stretch you and have no illusions you must put in the hours of study to move forwards; but the reward when you have completed each of the assessments is worth the effort. 

• How has the qualification benefit you professionally and personally? 

I gained a greater understanding of health and safety, which means I am better able to protect workers and the public. I particularly value the in-depth knowledge gained of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and how this links into protecting workers.  

Completing the NEBOSH Diploma has given me the confidence to move forward and drive change using the knowledge gained. It’s helping me to reduce injuries and incidents within the business. 

What’s next for you in terms of your professional development?

I have only recently completed the NEBOSH Diploma so, for the immediate future at least, my focus is using the skills and knowledge gained from my studies to get more day-to-day experience. It’s this mix of knowledge and experience that builds competence. 

What do you enjoy most about being a health and safety professional?

When I started out on this journey and took the NEBOSH General Certificate, one of the course instructors said something that really struck a chord with me. Often when, as an onlooker you see someone do something that is clearly unsafe, to them it is just the way they have always done a task.  Often all that is required to keep colleagues safe is taking the time to get them to stop, explain your concerns and offer workable alternatives. I enjoy making a difference by inspiring others to work safely. 

Looking back on your career to date, what achievements are you most proud of?

I would have to say passing the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals is the achievement I am most proud of. My NEBOSH journey goes to show that even when you have not been in a classroom for 37 years, you can still achieve your goals. 

What advice would you give to anyone at the start of their health and safety career?

My advice would be to take advantage of all the opportunities open to you to expand your knowledge and understanding. We are fortunate that there are so many ways to achieve this in our profession. You can join a professional health and safety body or local safety group and there are loads of free webinars and events you can attend. Most importantly though, network and build connections within the industry. It is so useful to have contacts who you can get advice and opinions from when you are facing a conundrum!