Case Studies

Sian, when did you decide you wanted to work in health and safety, and how did you know it was the right career for you?

I started off my health and safety career whilst working for a major oil and gas organisation. Back then, I was an analytical chemist working within the laboratory, and health and safety was at the top of the agenda, so I quite quickly learned what ‘health and safety’ was all about. The concept of keeping people safe aligned with my personal values, and I became more involved, serving as a representative of employee safety and later becoming the chair of this group. At this point, I knew that a career move into health and safety was what I wanted to do.

After completing the National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety you went onto take the NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK) certificate. Can you tell us why you chose this qualification and how taking it has helped you?

Working within a fast-paced facilities environment and supporting the estates services team, I felt that the NEBOSH Construction Certificate would give me the technical details I required to fully support my stakeholders. Having accomplished this certificate, particularly with the grade I received, gave me the confidence boost I needed in the knowledge I have.

What was the best thing you learned through your NEBOSH studies?

The combination of knowledge and real-life work experiences makes you a better health and safety practitioner.

Tell me about your employer and your current job role. What would you say is the best thing about this job?

I am a Health and Safety Officer for the University of Leeds, working within a fast-paced facilities environment and supporting the estates services team. Every day is different, and every day is a school day (literally and metaphorically). The teams I support keep me on my toes, and I am never left bored, which suits my energetic nature.

What achievement are you most proud of?~

Obviously, being named the 2025 joint Best Candidate for the Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK). I am proud that the effort I invested into demonstrating the full extent of my capabilities paid off.

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

I love that my job allows me to communicate with all levels of the organisation, from Heads of Services to senior managers, to those working on the ‘shop floor’. This allows me to utilise different communication techniques and enables me to be the best health and safety practitioner I can be.

Please can you tell us about your ambitions for the future?

I aim to continually challenge myself to progress in my career. I am currently undertaking the NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals as a step to become a chartered health and safety practitioner. I don’t know the specifics of where I see myself in the future, but I know I want to continue to support people in driving for a better, healthier, and safer working environment. There is always room for improvement.

Finally, what would your advice be to anyone who aspires to make health and safety their career?

I regard health and safety not merely as a career choice, but as a true calling. It demands a genuine motivation to continually learn and to share that knowledge with those who depend on it. Equally, it requires steady determination to persevere, even when faced with the most significant challenges.