Case Studies

Aamir, you joined NAFFCO Group in December 2014. Can you tell us a bit about the organisation?

NAFFCO was founded in Dubai, UAE and produces and supplies safety solutions. With a global network spanning over 100 countries, it is a leader in fire safety and holds ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 certification.

The company offers complete solutions for all types of high quality firefighting equipment, fire protection systems, fire alarms, addressable emergency systems, security systems and custom-made vehicle such as fire engines, ambulances, mobile hospitals and airport rescue firefighting vehicles (ARFF).

NAFFCO has over 15,000 team members including 2,000 engineers and over 8.5 million square feet of manufacturing facilities.

Your role within the company is as a Group HSE Manager. Can you tell us more about the sort of things you do day-to-day?

I have over twenty years of experience in leading health, safety and environmental projects. My background is in safety management, fire protection, HSE audit, risk management and accident investigation.

My key responsibilities at NAFFCO include:

• Developing and implementing HSE system policies and procedures to ensure proper hazard identification and risk assessment
• Monitoring the day-to-day management of HSE issues to ensure strict compliance with safe work plans and safety standards
• Supervising and conducting accident and incident investigations including near misses, determining the probable causes and enforcing preventive measures
• Collaborating with the operations teams to ensure safety regulations are in place and making recommendations in writing for improving HSE conditions and working practices
• Facilitating the hiring and training of the HSE compliance team
• Setting HSE standards, providing daily supervision and ensuring that the team understand HSE rules and regulations in order to promote a healthy safety culture
• Setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and maintaining safety and inspection reports
• Investigating incidents and any grey areas in order to initiate corrective and disciplinary action where there are unsafe working conditions

You have taken the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals, NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation and the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Process Safety Management qualifications. Why did you choose to take these qualifications in particular?

My role is to support the Group’s activities and my NEBOSH qualifications are vital for this. I like to lead my team by example, so it’s important that I keep my knowledge current and to a high standard and continue to improve my skills

How have your qualifications benefitted you since you completed them?

My qualifications have helped me to prepare and implement company HSE policies and procedures to ensure effective risk management and compliance with safety standards. I have since maintained coordination with all levels of management, clients and local authorities to develop safe working and HSE plans and provided supervision of daily work to ensure strict compliance by all in their given area of responsibility.

I have also been able to develop safety orientation programs, conduct safety rules and regulations training and encourage a safe environment to protect our engineers, supervisors and workmen. I always make sure that I maintain proper records of all HSE accidents and incidents so that we can implement corrective measures and avoid such incidents in future.

My qualifications also helped me to achieve memberships like CFIOSH and FIIRSM and become a registered Professional Engineer with the Pakistan Engineering Council.

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

Health and safety roles can be very challenging and I learn something new each day about how to implement new procedures to protect human lives and property.

What would be your advice be to anyone at the start of their health and safety career?

Constantly look to improve your knowledge and then implement that new knowledge in your work activities.