Case Studies

You have worked in health and safety since 2013. Did you always know you wanted to build your career in this profession, and how did you make it a reality?

I didn’t initially plan to build a long term career in health and safety, but my interest was piqued early in my professional life when I worked in high risk construction and industrial environments. I saw first hand how unsafe practices in these settings can have devastating consequences. I wanted to be part of the solution by proactively identifying dangers so they could be addressed, rather than reacting after incidents happened.

I wholeheartedly believed that prevention was better than cure, so I sought hands on site experience to deepen my understanding. I continuously invested in professional qualifications to strengthen my competence and credibility, ultimately making a permanent move into health and safety — a decision I have never regretted.

You passed your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, in 2017.

Why did you choose it?
I chose the NEBOSH International General Certificate because it is globally recognised and provides a strong foundation in occupational health and safety principles, combining practical risk management with international best practice.

How did achieving this qualification help your career? 
The qualification strengthened my technical knowledge and confidence, enabled me to take on greater responsibility, improved my communication with both management and contractors, and opened opportunities to work on larger and more complex projects in the Middle East.

In 2025 you completed the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals. Why did you choose this qualification and what benefits do you hope to gain?

The key motivator for enrolling on the NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma was my belief that achieving it would support my aspiration to progress from an operational role into a more strategic, leadership focused position. The syllabus has strengthened my understanding of safety management systems, risk leadership, and organisational culture, which can only support my long term goal of moving into a senior HSE management role.

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

The most valuable lesson I learned is that effective health and safety is not just about compliance, but about influencing behaviour, leadership commitment, and continuous improvement.

What is next for you in terms of your professional development?

My next focus is pursuing advanced professional certifications such as the Certified Safety Professional (CSP). I also plan to further develop my competence in safety leadership, auditing, and high‑risk industry standards, particularly within the oil and gas sector.

You’re currently working as an Environmental Health and Safety Professional for Avenir International Engineers & Consultants in Sharjah, UAE. Could you tell us about the organisation and your role?

Avenir is a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The organisation has extensive experience in engineering, consultancy, project management, and specialised services. Since its inception in 2007, it has completed over 1,100 projects and has a proven track record of safe, efficient, and successful project execution.

In my role as an Environmental Health and Safety Professional, I represent the client and PMC, overseeing contractor compliance, conducting site inspections and audits, reviewing risk assessments and method statements, and ensuring alignment with ADNOC and international standards.

With your extensive experience in health and safety, what qualities define a successful health and safety professional?

The key qualities common to the most effective health and safety professionals I know are strong technical knowledge, effective communication, integrity, practical site experience, and the ability to influence people at all levels.

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

When I entered this profession, my motivation was to make a meaningful difference to the health and safety standards where I worked. Over a decade later, this remains the biggest reward for me. Knowing that my work directly contributes to protecting lives and improving safety culture through proactive prevention is hugely fulfilling.

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

I would advise gaining strong site experience, continuously investing in recognised qualifications such as NEBOSH, and focusing on people and behaviour as much as on rules and regulations, as this combination has worked for me.