Case Studies

Simon, you're not a stranger to winning awards, and your journey into health and safety has been interesting and varied. Could you tell us a bit about it?

I guess you could say I've had a multi-faceted career journey. As a school leaver, I designed and built award-winning Christmas Grottos, which kicked off a career in joinery. While training, I was awarded a Best Student Progression prize at my college for my Modern Apprenticeship and moved into the construction industry as a bench joiner.

Having been promoted to the supervisory level, I continued progressing and became a site manager travelling UK-wide. This career phase gave me a lifetime of skills from working all over the UK on over fifty large-scale construction projects, including restaurants, prisons and hotels.

My work on hospitality construction on the UK's first modular hotel gave me the opportunity to work in Guangdong, China, to implement a quality management system that worked for the British market and ensured no accidents or incidents were encountered- a unique project with a strong safety focus.

Tell me about your current employer and what you do in your day-to-day role.

My journey into health and safety truly began when I started working at Amiri Construction. This organisation has instilled in its workforce a passion for building right and caring about those affected by our work.

In the summer of 2022, I was asked to take on the health and safety role as, at the time, Amiri outsourced it, and other than regular safety audits, there was no one controlling, updating and managing our procedures. I was offered the opportunity to take on the challenge. I knew that through my experience as a tradesman and working closely with contractors, I could communicate on their wavelength to help ensure our supply chain worked more safely and sustainably. I put together a guide to explain my key responsibilities and the benefits of strengthening our in-house health and safety management. The board agreed with my proposal along with my training requirements.

What would you say is the best thing about this job?

It may sound cheesy, but Amiri Construction has been amazing with their support while I have been training. Even now, as the training slows down, their continued support and backing help me build confidence and implement changes where required. Whilst my role is predominantly health and safety, one of the best parts of my job is when my colleagues contact me for advice and support on any matter of construction; it makes me feel valued and respected.

Please tell us why you chose your NEBOSH qualification and how taking it has helped you.

As part of my training requirements for my role as Group SHEQ Manager, I have achieved a number of NEBOSH qualifications, including the NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk, Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) and NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety. NEBOSH is seen as the industry leader in health and safety training and is widely recognised by many businesses across all sectors.

I undertook the NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate, in particular, to demonstrate my commitment and understanding of not only the built environment but also its wider implications for human health and the planet's sustainability.

Please tell us about your ambitions for the future.

I aim to change people's mindsets about health and safety. No one intends to get hurt or injure others, but it can happen due to a lack of understanding. Building a positive safety culture can address this and is a better way of educating.

What achievement are you most proud of?

I was not that clever at school, and in truth, I played the fool. I have always felt lucky to have the career I have had, but being allowed to take on this newly created health and safety role takes this to a new level. The company has shown it believes in me and has backed this up by investing in my NEBOSH training to support my growth and development. I feel valued by the people around me who respect my opinions and knowledge, and I fully intend to pay this back by making a difference.

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

Results. I feel a sense of sunshine when we review statistics each quarter, and our accidents and incidents are coming down, demonstrating that it is working. Our tradesmen, suppliers, and managers are going home safe to be with their families.

What would your advice be to anyone who aspires to make health and safety their career?

It is a fantastic and privileged role as you can make a difference to people's health and wellbeing and be the bridge between equality and diversity in the workplace.