Case Studies

Did you always know you wanted to build your career in health and safety?
I began my professional journey in 2004, joining a small manufacturing company in rural India shortly after completing a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. At the time, workplace safety standards were low, with minimal enforcement of safety rules. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was rarely used, and workplace injuries were common. These conditions highlighted the urgent need to raise safety standards and sparked my passion for pursuing a career in health and safety where I could make a meaningful impact.

To deepen my knowledge and understanding, I completed a Diploma in Fire and Safety, followed by a Bachelor's degree in Fire and Industrial Safety—all while juggling multiple jobs. With encouragement from friends and mentors, I stayed committed, driven, in part, by the growing demand for qualified safety professionals in India and beyond.

My perseverance paid off: I graduated top of my class, which led to my first role as a Safety Supervisor with a leading consultancy firm in India. I managed safety operations for multiple contractors at construction sites, collaborating with prominent organisations such as ABB and Baxter.

Since then, I’ve gained a broad range of experience. I’ve worked as an HSE Assistant Superintendent overseeing large-scale diamond exploration activities in India with exposure of drilling in Australia and Mongolia, and as a Health and Life Safety Specialist in the financial services sector supporting a major global bank's IT operations. I now serve as an HSE Executive with Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) in Dubai, UAE, where I continue to uphold and advance workplace safety standards.

During your career you have moved between countries and worked in a wide range of industries. Do you have any tips to help others to manage change well?
Its important to remain open to diverse opportunities, as working across different countries and sectors—such as construction, mining, or IT—not only broadens your expertise but also builds resilience.

My recommendation is to approach each transition with full dedication, passion, and a commitment to excellence. Cultivating a proactive mindset and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth will help you navigate international and cross-industry changes successfully. Achieving internationally recognised qualifications, such as NEBOSH, can also be a significant asset.

You completed the NEBOSH International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals in 2023:

• Why did you choose this qualification?

I chose to complete the NEBOSH International Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals because it is a well-recognised, premier qualification in the field of HSE. The syllabus content appealed to me as it has been meticulously developed to cover all the essential competencies that a senior health and safety professional must possess.

A key motivation was to enhance my expertise and gain advanced safety competency skills that I could apply in my day-to-day professional responsibilities.

• How did it help you?

It helped me deepen my understanding of occupational health and safety management, enabling me to implement robust, evidence-based safety strategies in my role. The qualification provided a comprehensive framework for assessing risks, ensuring compliance with best practices, and fostering a proactive safety culture. It also enhanced my ability to adapt to varied regulatory environments and industry demands.

This advanced knowledge has been vital in my current role as an HSE Executive with Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) in Dubai, UAE, where I continue to drive safety excellence.

In one sentence, please could you tell us: What was the best thing you learned through your NEBOSH studies?
My NEBOSH studies have helped me master a systematic approach to risk management, enabling me to proactively identify hazards and implement effective controls and management systems across various work environments.

You were appointed Safety Officer by Empower in Dubai in January 2018. Can you tell us a little bit about the company and your current role there please?
Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation PJSC (Empower) was established by a Royal Decree of the Dubai government in 2003 and commenced its commercial operations in February 2004. From a modest beginning, with a single temporary plant serving the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), Empower has grown to become the world's largest district cooling services provider.

Empower operates 90 District Cooling plants with a total connected capacity of 1.6 million refrigeration tons (RT), delivered through a 420-kilometer underground pipeline network. With a vast customer base of nearly 148,000 customers across 1,684 buildings in Dubai, Empower serves the emirate’s most iconic and landmark projects including the Dubai International Airport, Business Bay, Dubai Healthcare City, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Palm Jumeirah, Blue Waters, Jumeirah Group Hotels, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai Production City, among others.

Employee health and safety are of paramount importance to Empower. The Company's rigorous health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies, including extensive training and risk management assessments, significantly contribute to safeguarding employee well-being, demonstrating Empower's commitment to creating a safe and productive work environment.

In my current role as HSE Executive, I manage the Health, Safety, and Environment Management System (HSEMS) for construction projects, operations, and maintenance of District Cooling Plants (DCP). The responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including ensuring compliance with legal requirements from Dubai Municipality, Dubai Civil Defense, and other agencies, developing QHSE procedures, Risk Assessments, managing ISO audits, and overseeing contractor safety implementation.

I am also involved in risk management, contractor management, emergency response planning, HSE data management (including ESG), and training, which demonstrates a robust and proactive approach towards HSE.

When you look back on your career so far, what are you most proud of?
I am proud of my transformation from an early role as a turner in 2004—where I worked without PPE and faced daily risks of injury—to becoming a key contributor in implementing robust HSE management systems. I recognised the importance of health and safety from the very beginning of my career and worked hard to educate myself so I could better protect both myself and others.

My curiosity and commitment have helped me build a hugely rewarding career, enabling me to make a real difference. Not only do I help the organisations I serve achieve legal compliance, but I also play a vital role in embedding a safety-first culture—something I am deeply proud of.

Achieving the NEBOSH International Diploma supported my journey and reflects my commitment to continuous development. It has empowered me to create safer workplaces and protect lives.

Please, can you tell us about your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is to progress into a senior leadership role where my expertise can drive the adoption of advanced technologies to foster a safe working culture. I aim to expand my career into the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) domain, where I can contribute to broader sustainability goals.

To strengthen my ability to influence safety and sustainability at a strategic level, I plan to pursue prestigious certifications such as Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP). I also intend to complete the NEBOSH Environmental Diploma to deepen my knowledge of sustainability and global best practices.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the health and safety profession?
Choosing to build a career in HSE has brought me great happiness and fulfilment, as it has given me the opportunity to protect people and assets by creating safe working environments where individuals can thrive without fear of harm. By implementing a systematic approach to risk management—developed through my NEBOSH studies - I have seen workplace safety improve across diverse industries including construction, mining, and IT.

This gives me immense satisfaction and reinforces my passion for seeking continuous safety improvements.

What advice would you give someone who aspires to make health and safety their career?

My advice is to combine persistent dedication with a passion for protecting others.

Pursue globally recognised qualifications like NEBOSH to build credibility, competency, and expertise.

To achieve excellence and have a meaningful impact on workplace safety, it is essential to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Remain adaptable and open to gaining experience across various industries and regions and give your full commitment to every assignment.

Health and safety are the invisible shield we all help to create—a duty woven into every action, and a lifelong vow to guard each life as if it were our own.