Case Studies

When did you decide you wanted your career to be in health and safety?
Since childhood, I have dreamt of becoming a doctor but, due to circumstance, I was unable to study Medicine and opted to take a Petroleum Engineering degree instead. After graduating, I struggled to find a job in the oil industry and was looking for an alternative career path. I reflected on the 8-month internship I had completed during my degree. One of the key takeaways for me was how important health and safety was in the oil industry and I wondered if this was a route I should consider. When I thought about it, health and safety was the option most closely aligned to my original aspiration of medicine. This path offered an alternative way for me to fulfil my passion for helping and safeguarding people's wellbeing.

You secured your first health and safety role in 2016 in Saudi Arabia. How did this come about?
I took online health and safety courses to build my knowledge, which reaffirmed my belief that this could be the rewarding career I was looking for. I started to look for opportunities and managed to secure my first health and safety job in Saudi Arabia. My engineering background and understanding of the oil industry, coupled with my passion for safety, were key to me securing the role. This was a significant step and marked the beginning of my journey in health and safety.

You completed the NEBOSH International General Certificate in 2018:

• Why did you choose this qualification? - I chose to take the NEBOSH International General Certificate in 2018 because I felt it would help me advance my career in health and safety. It is a widely recognised qualification that provides a strong foundation in health and safety principles. It was the perfect starting point, as I gained the essential knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this field.
• How did you find it? - I found the NEBOSH International General Certificate to be both challenging and rewarding. The course was comprehensive and covered a wide range of health and safety topics. The content was relevant to my role, and I could immediately apply what I learnt in my workplace. The structured approach to learning and the high standards set by NEBOSH made it an enriching experience.
• How has it helped you? - Achieving the NEBOSH International General Certificate significantly boosted my career. It enhanced my understanding of health and safety principles, provided me with practical skills, and improved my ability to develop and implement effective health and safety policies. Holding this qualification also increased my credibility as a health and safety professional and opened more advanced career opportunities. Straight after passing, I was promoted to HSE Manager by my employer. Shortly after that, I secured a more senior role with a big construction company in Saudi Arabia as Project HSE Manager for a high-rise construction building project.

You are now a NEBOSH double Diploma holder, having completed an International Health and Safety Diploma in 2021 and the International Environmental Diploma in 2023:

• Why did you choose these qualifications? – For me, they represent the highest standards in the field of health, safety, and environmental management. Both provide an in-depth understanding of complex issues and the advanced skills required for senior roles. When I signed up for the NEBOSH International Environmental Diploma, I had just gained environmental management responsibilities on a major project, so wanted to improve my knowledge of that area. Another important advantage both qualifications offer is they provide a solid foundation for postgraduate study. This was important to me, because I hoped to pursue a SHE master's degree.
• How did you find studying at Diploma Level? – It was both challenging and beneficial. My studies helped me grasp many important concepts in health and safety, developed my research and report-writing skills, and improved my logical analysis abilities. It significantly enhanced my competence and effectiveness in my professional role. Studying at this level requires a high level of commitment. The advanced material challenged me to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, which I have consistently applied in my career since. Overall, the experience was intellectually stimulating and enhanced my professional expertise.
• How have achieving these qualifications helped you? - Achieving these qualifications has greatly benefited my career and built my professional credibility. Through my studies I became more aware of numerous HSE topics, which helped to build my confidence as a HSE Professional. I was more willing to take on bigger challenges, including building a full HSE Management System from scratch for one of the biggest companies in Saudi Arabia. I have the confidence and expertise to effectively manage complex safety and environmental issues, develop and implement robust policies, and lead initiatives that enhance workplace safety and environmental protection. These qualifications equipped me with the skills needed to excel in senior roles, creating career opportunities for me. I have also gone on to be an approved trainer from many renowned International HSE Institutes.

Since November 2023, you have held the position of Corporate HSE Manager for Mobarak Merai Alsalomi. Can you tell us a little about the company and your role in particular?
Mobarak Merai Alsalomi is a leading construction company in Saudi Arabia, known for its commitment to delivering high-quality projects. The company primarily works for major oil and gas companies including Saudi Aramco.

Since November 2023, I have been Mobarak Merai Alsalomi’s Corporate HSE Manager. I am responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, conducting risk assessments, and fostering a culture of safety throughout the organisation. I also manage safety audits, provide training to staff, and look to continuously improve our safety management systems to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone. The company is currently managing 12 active projects with a daily workforce of up to 7,000 workers. I am responsible for leading and building a team capable of effectively overseeing these projects, whilst supporting the company in achieving its goals.

What do you enjoy most about being a health and safety professional?
What I enjoy most, is the profession gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by ensuring their safety and wellbeing. I have a personal quote I use that highlights this for me “If the doctors are proud to treat the injured, we should be equally proud of preventing them from reaching there.” As HSE professionals it is incredibly fulfilling to create safer work environments and prevent accidents and injuries. Additionally, the role allows me to continually learn and adapt, so I can address new challenges and improve safety practices. It is truly rewarding to see the positive impact my work has on the organisation and its workforce.

When you look back at your career so far, what are you most proud of?
When I look back at my career, I am most proud of the significant role I have played ensuring that employees in my care return home safely, without injuries or occupational illnesses. Knowing that my work helps people to stay healthy and continue their careers is incredibly fulfilling. Being a health and safety professional allows me to directly contribute to the wellbeing and continued productivity of individuals.

What would your advice be to anyone who aspires to make health and safety their career?
Health and safety is a career that is dedicated to preserving human life and ensuring the best working conditions, which is a noble and fulfilling pursuit. In the middle east, health and safety roles are among the most in-demand jobs, offering numerous opportunities for career advancement. If you work hard, keep learning and embrace the passion to protect people and create safe environments, health and safety could be a rewarding and dynamic career path to follow.

My advice to anyone aspiring to make health and safety their career is start by gaining relevant qualifications, such as those offered by NEBOSH, which are highly respected in the industry. It's crucial to build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills through education and practical experience. Stay committed to continuous learning and keep up with innovations in the industry. You will also need to develop good communication and leadership skills so you can work effectively with diverse teams and influence safety culture. Lastly, be passionate about protecting people and creating safer work environments as this will help you succeed in the field.