Case Studies

Ali, your health and safety career spans over a decade. What made you decide to pursue a career in health and safety?
After earning an honours degree in chemical engineering in 2013 from the University of Science and Technology in Sudan, I was eager to begin my career so asked my cousin, a mechanical engineer in the onshore oil and gas industry, to share my CV with his employer. While they had no openings for chemical engineers, they offered me a role as a safety officer recognising the relevant knowledge I had gained for this position through my degree. My studies had covered key topics such as process safety, HAZOP, chemical handling, exposure control, and advanced environmental subjects, all of which are highly relevant to the health and safety field. My engineering background also equipped me with critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.

I accepted the offer and began reporting to a safety supervisor with over 15 years’ experience. Under his mentorship, I developed essential skills, including preparing risk assessments, monitoring control measures, identifying unsafe acts and conditions, and managing critical lifting and confined space activities. In addition to sharing his extensive knowledge, he encouraged me to pursue safety courses to enhance my professional development. The short courses I completed at that time deepened my knowledge and were directly relevant to my responsibilities. I found working as a safety professional highly engaging and valued the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across all departments and organisational levels. The exciting projects that followed in construction and infrastructure solidified my decision to remain in the safety field.

You completed your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, in 2020.

• Why did you choose this qualification? Ever since I joined the profession, other safety practitioners had consistently recommended the NEBOSH International General Certificate to me. It has a reputation for providing foundational knowledge in occupational safety and health (OSH), with a particular emphasis on risk management and control. Its structure and content equip safety practitioners to address a broad spectrum of common risks. In my view, completing the NEBOSH International General Certificate is a critical early step if you want to work in the OSH field. I wanted to work in the Middle East at that time, where it is often a specified requirement for health and safety roles. Many employers there mandate that any candidates who don’t have this qualification when recruited, must complete it during their probationary period. 

• How did you find it? - The NEBOSH International General Certificate was packed with extensive OSH information, making it a tough but rewarding challenge. I began studying in 2018 and passed the final unit in March 2020. It was a demanding journey, but I cherished every moment. I studied in work breaks and during the weekend and felt I was learning everything I needed to be a confident, competent and highly capable safety professional.

• How did it help you? – The NEBOSH International General Certificate significantly enhanced my professional capabilities in multiple ways:

1. It deepened my understanding of the wide range of reasons why health and safety should be proactively managed - I use this information to get buy-in, tailoring my communication to highlight which of the benefits of compliance or the consequences of non-compliance I think will resonate best with my audience. For example, senior managers often respond best if you show that effective health and safety management can boost organisational profits by avoiding the direct and indirect financial losses that follow a safety failure.
2. It provided clear, practical guidance on controlling critical risks and managing a wide range of safety-related issues.
3. It helped establish me as a trusted advocate for workers in my organisation - someone with both the will and the knowledge to protect their physical safety and psychological wellbeing.
4. It introduced me to key concepts - like safety management systems and OHS key performance indicators.
5. It gave me a solid foundation to continue my learning - Completing the NEBOSH International General Certificate gave me the knowledge and confidence to enrol immediately in the NEBOSH Diploma programme.

You are now a dual NEBOSH Diploma holder, having completed the NEBOSH International Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety in 2023 and the International Diploma in Environmental Management in 2025, studying with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner SHEILDS:

• Why did you choose to take these qualifications? I pursued the NEBOSH International Diploma because it is widely regarded as the gold standard in the safety field. The content gave me advanced knowledge across a wide range of topics, including occupational health, accident investigation and much more.  I then chose to study the NEBOSH Environmental Diploma to deepen my understanding of environmental management systems and enhance my capability in this increasingly vital area. The course covers essential topics relevant to many industries, such as waste management, sustainability, the circular economy, corporate social responsibility, renewable energy, and the hydrological cycle. Beyond the content, I pursued NEBOSH Diplomas to prepare for leadership roles in health and safety. They’re often specified for director-level positions in the Middle East. Holding a NEBOSH Diploma also opened the door to postgraduate study at Master’s level, meets the criteria for Certified Membership of IOSH, and allowed me to bypass the B-ASP exam and proceed directly to the B-CSP exam.

• How did you find studying at Diploma Level? Earning both the NEBOSH Safety and Environmental Diplomas was a demanding yet rewarding five-year journey. Studying at Diploma level requires focus and commitment, but my prior NEBOSH General Certificate gave me a strong foundation, which made it easier to first pass my Safety Diploma with Credit. Regular discussion groups with friends helped me understand and retain the information covered more effectively. I went on to complete the Environmental Diploma with Credit. Careful time and financial planning meant I also achieved ISO 14001 and BCSP certifications whilst completing my second NEBOSH Diploma. Funding the Diplomas can be a challenge, but many NEBOSH providers offer instalment plans, which makes the process more manageable.

• How has achieving these qualifications helped you? Both NEBOSH Diplomas have been worth every penny, both in terms of the knowledge gained and the professional opportunities they’ve created. Achieving these qualifications significantly advanced my career in several key ways:

1. They open doors to managerial roles within the HSE sector, in prestigious organisations, with competitive salaries, and enhanced job security.
2. They strengthened my professional reputation and enabled me to attain membership with esteemed safety bodies such as IOSH.
3. They boosted my competence and confidence—the comprehensive knowledge gained from the Diploma empowered me to manage diverse projects effectively.
4. They helped me to improve workers’ safety and environmental awareness through in-house training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
5. They also opened the door to pursue an MSc in Occupational Health and Safety. For some courses you have the option to transfer credits, shortening the program’s duration and reducing its overall cost.

Do you have any advice for other safety professionals that will help them balance work and study?
Balancing full-time work, family commitments, and studying is challenging. I found that dedicating at least one hour to study at work and at home daily and studying for four hours over the weekend worked for me. This schedule may limit your social life in the short-term, but the investment in your personal development is worthwhile. Ensure you take days off to rest, keeping your mind clear and your body and mind prepared for the exam.

In July 2025, you secured a new role as Environment, Health and Safety Manager for Georgia-Pacific LLC, based in California USA. Can you tell us a little about the company and your role in particular?
Georgia-Pacific LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of pulp, paper, packaging, and building products. Founded in 1927 by Owen Robertson Cheatham as the Georgia Hardwood Lumber Co., the company has grown into one of the world’s largest producers of tissue, pulp, paper-based packaging, cellulose, and building materials, including plywood, oriented strand board, and gypsum products.

As a subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2005, Georgia-Pacific operates over 150 facilities across North America, South America, and Europe, employing approximately 30,000 people and indirectly supporting over 89,000 jobs. Renowned for its consumer brands like Brawny®, Dixie®, Quilted Northern®, and Angel Soft®, the company is also a major supplier to the residential and commercial construction markets. Committed to innovation, sustainability, and quality, Georgia-Pacific continues to drive advancements in the paper and forest products industry while contributing significantly to the communities it serves.

As the EHS Manager at Georgia-Pacific’s Madera plant in the Corrugated Division, I oversee environmental, health, and safety activities and initiatives which are designed to foster a safe and compliant workplace. My responsibilities include attending shift meetings, led by the Director of Operations, to identify and address safety concerns raised by the graveyard, morning, and afternoon shifts.
I ensure all contractors complete required training and safety inductions before starting work and raise safety and environmental observations through Georgia-Pacific’s internal programs.

I participate in EHS meetings with senior managers and directors to drive continuous improvement, share knowledge, and discuss lessons learned across all U.S. Georgia-Pacific sites. Collaborating with the Madera team, I establish and implement critical procedures such as Lockout/Tag out/Verification and machine guarding, while communicating Georgia-Pacific’s vision and the Madera site’s EHS policy.
I investigate incidents, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions, ensuring all environmental permits and procedures are current and compliant. I oversee the submission of industrial water samples to labs to meet state regulations, conduct EHS audits, facilitate audits by senior managers, and ensure all findings are addressed. Additionally, I verify that workplace illumination meets Georgia-Pacific and OSHA standards. My primary focus is supporting my team to enhance the safety culture, promote best practices, and achieve zero workplace injuries.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the health and safety profession?
I feel deeply valued in my role, as just as a city relies on hospitals and doctors, projects depend on safety professionals to function effectively. I take pride in contributing meaningfully to humanity and society. Each day, I find fulfilment in correcting workers’ unsafe behaviours, guiding senior management to meet their safety goals and objectives, and engaging in problem-solving to proactively address critical risks by finding optimal solutions. I also cherish the opportunity to learn from my mistakes, treating them as valuable lessons to grow and improve.

Given your extensive experience and connections, what do you think makes a good health and safety professional? 
A strong health and safety professional should have:

1. Deep safety knowledge - which can be acquired through NEBOSH Certificates and Diplomas.
2. The ability to work in a collaborate way – This is vital to ensure success particularly in large-scale projects.
3. Strong communication skills – it is important to be able to speak the right language for all levels and to be an attentive listener.
4. A positive attitude and patience - transforming a workplace safety culture is a gradual process that requires time and persistence.

What advice would you give someone pursuing a health and safety career?
Begin with the NEBOSH International General Certificate to build a strong foundation in occupational health and safety (OHS). Don’t just aim to earn the certificate, embrace its syllabus, apply its principles, and let it fuel your confidence to excel in the field.

Connect with other safety professionals who can offer guidance and support, particularly when you are trying to get your first entry-level role.

See yourself as a champion for workers whose safety awareness is limited.

Document your work diligently, uphold ethical standards, and use your authority responsibly, always guided by integrity.

Commit to lifelong learning and self-improvement to ensure you always provide well-informed advice and stay relevant.

View your safety role as a humanitarian mission, wake up each day excited to save lives and share knowledge that empowers workers to protect themselves.