Case Studies

Did you always know you wanted to build your career in this profession, and how did you make it a reality?

I never really imagined that I would end up building a career in health and safety. After completing my MBA, I moved into business development and marketing, and at the time I honestly had very little idea of what the HSE field involved.

It was my uncle who suggested it as an option, and he made me curious enough to investigate it in more detail. As I started researching, what really stayed with me was the purpose behind the profession: protecting people and preventing incidents before they happen. I could also see the career opportunities the profession offers. 

That was the point when I decided to change direction. I focused on gaining the right qualifications and gradually building my career in my newly chosen field. So, while it wasn’t something I planned initially, once I understood its value, I chose it with full confidence.

You passed your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, in 2015.

• Why did you choose it?  

I was working for a construction company in India at the time. Health and safety procedures were in place, but I didn’t want to simply follow and enforce them without understanding the reasons behind them. 

I began searching for recognised qualifications and came across the NEBOSH International General Certificate. It felt like the right choice because it offered a strong foundation and opened opportunities beyond my current role. It wasn’t just about gaining a certificate, but about growing professionally and building a clear career path in the HSE field.

• How did achieving this qualification help your career?

Achieving the NEBOSH International General Certificate made a significant difference to my career. It helped me to understand core health and safety principles and how to apply them practically on site. My confidence grew, and I began approaching safety with a more structured and professional mindset. 

More importantly, it opened new doors for me. The qualification played a key role in helping me secure my first overseas role in Qatar with a major power plant company, where I worked as a Senior Health and Safety Supervisor. That opportunity was a real turning point, marking the start of my international career and giving me a platform to continue growing in the field.

 

In 2024 you completed the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals, choosing to study with NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner, Safety Catch Safety Training & Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Can you tell us why you chose this qualification and what benefits you gained from this success?

At that stage in my professional journey, I felt my growth had slowed. I was not getting the progression or learning opportunities I was looking for, which led me to reflect seriously on my next step.

I made the difficult decision to leave my job in Dubai and move back to India to focus fully on completing the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma. It was not an easy choice. Leaving a stable role always comes with uncertainty, but I knew that if I wanted to grow in this field, I needed to invest my time and effort properly.

My main reason for choosing this qualification was to gain a deeper understanding of health and safety, particularly in areas such as management systems, leadership, and risk-based approaches. I wanted to see how everything connects at a higher, more strategic level.

I chose Safety Catch Safety Training & Consulting because of its strong reputation as a NEBOSH Gold Learning Partner. Several colleagues recommended them, and I had also watched several exam orientation sessions by Mr Anil Gopinath, which gave me confidence in their approach and teaching style.

Completing the Diploma was a major achievement for me. It gave me a far deeper and more structured understanding of HSE management systems and how to apply them in real-world situations. It also changed the way I think; I became more analytical, more proactive, and more confident in handling complex safety challenges.

Looking back, taking that risk and stepping away from my job was one of the most important decisions of my career. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also helped me grow both professionally and personally.

In one sentence, what has been the best thing you have learned through your NEBOSH studies?

I gained a strong understanding of how internationally recognised standards can be applied in real workplaces to create consistent and reliable safety systems.

You have worked for McDermott International Limited since 2024. Can you tell us about the company and its health and safety ethos?

McDermott International Limited is a global engineering and construction company which operates in the energy sector. It has a global workforce of over 30,000 people, focused on delivering structures that transport and transform oil and gas.

What stands out to me is how deeply health and safety is embedded within the organisation; it is not just a priority, but a core value. The company is strongly committed to protecting people, the environment, and the wider community, supported by strict compliance with HSE regulations and regular safety training. This commitment is reflected in its industry‑leading safety performance, with very low Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR), alongside a continuous focus on improvement.

From the CEO down, the whole workforce is actively involved in safety, with individuals taking ownership in day‑to‑day operations. There is regular engagement and open communication with workers, and anyone can raise concerns about unsafe conditions without hesitation.

Overall, the health and safety ethos at McDermott is based on the belief that no task is more important than the safety of people, and this mindset is consistently evident in everyday operations.

Please can you tell us about your role and responsibilities as a Marine HSES with the company?

In my role as a Health and Safety Specialist, I primarily work on offshore barges and vessels, supporting field operations and ensuring that all activities are carried out safely and in line with company standards. My focus is on implementing and overseeing the company’s HSE management systems and ensuring full compliance across all project activities.

I play a key role in ensuring that subcontractors follow company standards by regularly reviewing their performance and verifying their activities. I am also actively engaged in risk management, ensuring hazards are identified early and that appropriate control measures are put in place and followed.

I take responsibility for incident management by supporting investigations, identifying root causes, and ensuring corrective actions are implemented to prevent similar issues in the future. In addition, I contribute to improving the safety culture by engaging with teams, promoting safety campaigns, and encouraging open communication, while also supporting emergency response activities when required.

Overall, my role is focused on leadership, effective system implementation, and driving a proactive safety culture across offshore operations.

Much of your experience has been gained working in the offshore oil and gas markets. What are the key considerations in this challenging environment?

When working in an offshore environment, being strong on risk management is vitally important to ensure hazards are identified and assessed early so that they can be controlled before work begins. Any gaps in preparation can lead to serious consequences because of the remote nature of the working environment. Ensuring that procedures and standards are adhered to strictly is also of vital importance. Emergency preparedness is key offshore, as response options are limited, so teams need proper training, regular drills and a clear understanding of what their roles are during emergencies.

In addition, the ability to work under pressure and make clear, timely decisions is essential, especially during critical operations. Strong leadership is important not only for managing work but also for setting the right safety tone and positively influencing the behaviour of the workforce. Effective collaboration is key, as multiple teams and contractors must work together through clear communication and coordination to ensure tasks are carried out safely and efficiently.

Overall, it is about managing risks effectively and proactively through proper planning, strong leadership, clear communication and teamwork to ensure safe and controlled operations in a challenging offshore environment.

What qualities do you believe define a successful health and safety professional?

In my opinion, a successful health and safety professional is someone who combines strong technical knowledge with practical understanding. It is important to have a solid grasp of management systems, procedures, and regulatory frameworks, but what really makes the difference is the ability to apply that knowledge effectively in real situations.

Leadership is another key quality, not just in giving instructions, but in setting the right example and positively influencing people’s behaviour towards safety. At the same time, teamwork plays a vital role, as safety is never achieved alone. It depends on coordination, communication, and trust between different teams and disciplines.

Above all, a good safety professional should be proactive, observant, and willing to engage with people on the ground. Understanding the work being carried out, and the people doing it, is what truly helps to manage risks and improve safety performance.

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

What I enjoy most about being a health and safety professional is the responsibility that comes with the role. Knowing that your decisions and actions can directly influence whether work is carried out safely or not gives the work real purpose. It is a field where you are constantly thinking ahead, trying to understand not just what could go wrong, but why, and how to prevent it in practical ways.

I also value the depth of the role. It is not limited to one area; you deal with people, systems, technical challenges, and real-time situations all at once. That balance keeps the work engaging and meaningful. For me, the most satisfying part is seeing how good planning and putting the right controls in place can quietly prevent incidents, even though that success often goes unnoticed.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to build their career in health and safety?

If you want to build a career in health and safety, start by getting the right qualifications, as they give you a strong foundation and open up good opportunities. They help you understand core principles such as risk assessment, management systems, and legal requirements, which are essential in any role. At the same time, make a conscious effort to learn from real work situations. Try to see how those principles apply on site, how risks actually develop, and how controls are implemented in practice. This combination of knowledge and real-world understanding is what makes you effective.

Most importantly, be patient and keep learning. Growth in this field does not happen overnight; it comes from experience, observing different situations, and learning from both good practice and mistakes. If you stay consistent, keep improving your knowledge, and genuinely care about the impact of your work, you will gradually build a strong and meaningful career in health and safety.