Case Studies

When did you know that you wanted to make health and safety your career and how did you make it a reality?
I was working in a call centre in India when a family friend introduced me to the field of Health and Safety, recommending NEBOSH qualifications as a pathway into the profession. The work sounded interesting, and I felt it could offer the opportunity to build a rewarding career, including the potential to work overseas.

Curious to learn more, I began researching the profession and NEBOSH qualifications specifically. During my search, I came across NIST Global and decided to enrol on its NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award course. This was my first step towards building a career in Health and Safety. The qualifications sparked my interest, gave me foundational knowledge, and boosted my confidence to progress further in the field.

Can you tell us a little more about the NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award which you took with Gold Learning Partner, NIST Global in 2017. 
While researching the course content, I saw that it would provide a solid foundation in workplace health and safety. It covered key areas such as identifying hazards, assessing risks, and how to apply the hierarchy of controls effectively. Through my studies, my confidence grew, and I gained useful skills.

The qualification also led to my first international opportunity. In 2018, I was offered a role in Bahrain as a contractor at one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world. In this role I had the opportunity to apply what I had learnt in a high-risk industrial setting, gain hands-on exposure, and further develop my knowledge of health and safety practices. The NEBOSH Award truly laid the foundation for my long-term career in this field.

You went on to pass the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, in 2021: 

• Why did choose this qualification in particular?

After gaining experience in a high-risk industrial environment, I recognised the importance of further developing my technical knowledge and health and safety skills. When I researched which qualification would help me achieve these goals, the NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) stood out. It is a globally recognised qualification with a comprehensive syllabus that covers how to manage workplace hazards effectively, implement appropriate risk control measures, and how safety standards can be improved more broadly. I chose this qualification to strengthen my expertise and develop the skills I needed to handle more complex safety challenges in high-risk industries

• How has having this qualification helped you?

Earning the NEBOSH IGC was a major turning point in my career. It boosted my confidence and technical knowledge, enhancing my ability to assess risks effectively, develop practical solutions, and lead safety initiatives with greater authority.

 After achieving this qualification, I secured a new role with an employer in the construction sector.  In this position, I was able to gain experience of high-risk construction activities, including trench work, heavy lifting operations, and vehicle traffic management on complex sites.

 The deeper understanding of international safety standards gained through my IGC studies, also enabled me to prepare and submit detailed safety points for approval in Ministry examinations in Bahrain—a mandatory requirement to work on government projects.  This recognition boosted my professional credibility and opened doors to more challenging roles, allowing me to make a greater impact on workplace safety in high-risk environments.

 In 2025 you completed the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals, studying with NIST Global for a third time. Can you tell us:

• Why you chose this Diploma level qualification?

After working for over six years as an HSE professional, I wanted to gain a more strategic understanding of managing health and safety at an organisational level to further advance my career. My goal was to move beyond day-to-day operational safety tasks and develop the ability to design, implement, and continuously improve health and safety management systems that create lasting change in workplace culture.

 I also recognised that many workplaces tend to focus primarily on physical hazards, often overlooking occupational health risks such as long-term exposure to harmful substances, ergonomics, and workplace stress. By pursuing the NEBOSH Diploma, I aimed to bridge this gap and obtain a deeper, evidence-based knowledge of managing both safety and health-related hazards.

 Gaining this globally recognised qualification has given me advanced skills in risk management, leadership, and regulatory compliance, enabling me to contribute at a higher decision-making level. Ultimately, this diploma is preparing me for future leadership roles where I can drive organisational safety performance, influence senior management, and help achieve world-class health and safety standards.

• How achieving this qualification will benefit you?

Achieving the NEBOSH Diploma has supported my professional growth and strengthened my long-term career prospects. It has opened pathways to higher-level education, such as pursuing a master’s degree in occupational health and safety.

 The qualification also enables me to apply for membership with internationally recognised professional bodies such as BCSP, IOSH, and IIRSM, allowing me to continue developing my skills and connect with a global network of safety professionals.

 With this advanced knowledge, I am more confident in taking on senior-level roles, where I can influence safety management decisions and implement high-level strategies to improve workplace safety culture. Ultimately, this qualification will help me make a stronger impact at an organisational level, ensuring safer and healthier working environments in the workplaces I support.

 In one sentence, please could you tell us: What was the best thing you learned through your NEBOSH studies? 
NEBOSH has taught me to think critically and holistically, enabling me to analyse scenarios with deeper technical understanding and provide well-structured, comprehensive responses.

You are based in Bahrain and work for Zohal Construction Co. WLL. Can you tell us about the company and its health and safety ethos?
Zohal Construction Co. WLL specialises in constructing pumping stations, sewage treatment plants and MEP works here in Bahrain. The organisation’s management team is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards and ensures that on site risks are reduced to a reasonable and practical level. Regular training is provided to all staff to continuously improve their safety awareness and skills, fostering a strong safety culture throughout the organisation.

As a Health and Safety Officer for the organisation what are your key responsibilities?
My key responsibilities include conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards before implementing control measures to mitigate risks. I actively monitor compliance with local and international safety regulations and ensure all staff receive regular and relevant safety training.

Investigating incidents and near misses is another critical part of my role, with the objective being to identify root causes to prevent recurrences. I also promote continuous improvement by encouraging open communication and engaging workers in safety discussions, emphasising the importance of reporting near misses to build a proactive safety culture.

Additionally, I collaborate closely with management and site teams to ensure safety policies and procedures are effectively applied across all projects.

What do you enjoy most about being a health and safety professional?
What I value most about my work is that it directly contributes to protecting people’s lives and their wellbeing by preventing accidents and creating safer workplaces. I also appreciate the opportunity to communicate and connect across all levels of an organisation—from top-level management to shop floor employees. I encourage open dialogues so that any gaps can be identified and addressed, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

What advice would you give someone who wants to build a career in the health and safety profession?
My advice is to stay curious and committed to lifelong learning - both through studying for qualifications like NEBOSH and by gaining practical experience. Working across diverse environments will broaden your understanding of real-world challenges.

Always prioritise clear communication and be approachable to shop floor employees. Actively listen to them so you can effectively convey their health and safety issues to top-level management in a constructive and professional manner.

It is also important to develop leadership skills and to play your part in creating a positive safety culture by modelling the values and behaviours you expect from others.