Case Studies

At university you studied facilities planning and management. When and how did the transition into health and safety happen?
My degree in Facilities Management gave me a strong grounding in how buildings and services support people. Early on, I realised that what fascinated me most was the human element in how people interact within spaces safely and effectively. Over time, health, and safety for me evolved from a supporting role into a central passion. The transition happened organically, and as I progressed, I moved into roles that increasingly required me to lead on compliance, risk, and safety. I have gained experience across public sector and healthcare environments.

You took your first NEBOSH qualifications, the National General and National Fire certificates in 2013. What attracted you to these and how have they helped your career?
The NEBOSH General and Fire Certificates gave me the solid, practical foundation I needed to confidently advise on a wide range of risks. Fire safety is critical across every sector, and I was keen to build specialist knowledge in this area early on. These qualifications were a real turning point, they gave me credibility, opened doors to focused health and safety roles, and firmly set me on the path to becoming a Health and Safety Manager.

You have gone on to complete four other NEBOSH qualifications. Can you share your thoughts on them?

• NEBOSH Health and Safety Management for Construction (UK): was invaluable during my time leading NHS construction projects. As a qualified building surveyor, it gave me the technical knowledge and confidence to transition into construction management and function as a CDM Advisor and Principal Designer, ensuring even the most complex capital projects were delivered safely from design to completion. Beyond the technical side, it deepened my understanding of how to engage with key stakeholders such as contractors, architects and governing bodies, helping to build stronger relationships and ensure safety was at the heart of every decision.

• NEBOSH HSE Introduction to Incident Investigation: I found this particularly beneficial when investigating incidents in healthcare and estates settings. It reinforced the value of a structured, human factors based approach, one that focuses on learning and prevention rather than blame. The qualification gave me practical tools for uncovering root causes by asking the right questions, which means that the recommendations made genuinely improve safety systems. It has helped me transform investigations into opportunities for organisational learning rather than moments of fear or fault-finding.
• NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Health and Safety Leadership Excellence: This qualification opened my eyes to the profound influence leaders have on safety culture. It strengthened my ability to mentor colleagues and promote a positive, pragmatic safety mindset at every level of organisations. What I took from it most is that leadership in health and safety is not about authority, it is about influence, leading by example, and open communication. By applying these lessons, I have been able to support and encourage senior leaders and frontline staff to take ownership of safety into their daily work.
• NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals: Achieving the Diploma was a significant personal milestone. It gave me the technical depth to deal with complex challenges and the professional credibility to progress into senior roles. Studying for the Diploma tested me to the full, but it also taught me resilience and discipline. Completing it was a real moment of pride and proof that with determination and the right support, you can reach levels you might have once thought were out of reach. It provided the depth of knowledge and professional standing that has enabled me to progress into senior positions, including my current role as Health and Safety Manager.

Do you have any advice for other safety professionals who are trying to balance work and studies?
It is not easy, especially when you are studying alongside a demanding job. My advice is to be realistic with your time and break your learning into manageable sections. Do not hesitate to ask for help from tutors, peers, or even your employer. And remember: every bit of effort you put in is an investment in your future. It is worth every minute.

I understand that you are neurodiverse. What challenges and opportunities have this created for you in your career?
Being neurodiverse means that I approach learning and problem solving differently, something that has been both a challenge and an opportunity. During my studies, I sometimes found traditional learning methods difficult, as long reading sessions, dense texts, and memorising information did not always work for me. At times I struggled with concentration, overloading information, or simply keeping pace with others.

But these challenges taught me how to adapt. I broke down complex subjects into smaller, manageable chunks. I relied more on visual aids, real life examples, and practical application rather than theory. I also learned to be inquisitive and ask for support when I needed it whether that was extra time, mentoring, or simply explaining to colleagues and tutors how I best absorbed information.

These adaptations did not just help me to pass the exams, they strengthened my resilience and gave me a creative way of looking at risk, systems and health and safety solutions in the workplace. My neurodiversity has become a strength to me, allowing me to see things differently, challenge assumptions, and spot patterns that others might miss.

I want others to embrace any diagnosis with open arms and to know that while studying can feel tough at times, success is possible. Find the strategies that work for you, be open to your needs, and do not be afraid to ask for support. Your differences do not have to hold you back. In fact, they can become the very qualities that set you apart and help you thrive as a health and safety professional.

You have just secured a new role as Health & Safety Officer for South Derbyshire District Council. Can you tell us a little bit about the organisation and your role there?
South Derbyshire District Council is a local authority that provides a wide range of services to its communities. My role as Health and Safety Officer and Asbestos Duty Holder sits within Housing Services which, at its core, is about providing safe, well-maintained homes and making sure tenants, staff and contractors are properly protected. My role is to help people manage health and safety in a way that’s practical, proportionate and works in real life. I am there to support managers and front-line teams and provide assurance to senior leaders that we are meeting our legal duties.

A key part of my role is acting as the Asbestos Duty Holder. That means making sure asbestos risks across the housing stock are properly understood and controlled, from overseeing surveys and the asbestos register, to working closely with survey and removal contractors, and ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time. The focus is always on protecting people and making safe decisions.

On a wider scale I’m working to strengthen health and safety arrangements across Housing Services, following the HSE HSG65 model approach. That includes risk assessments, training and supervision, inspections, incident reporting and contractor management. I spend a lot of time translating health and safety requirements into plain English, so managers and operatives know what is expected and feel confident applying it day to day.

The NEBOSH qualifications I hold have created a solid foundation for my technical knowledge and leadership skills to be used in real life situations. I’m also a Chartered health and safety practitioner with many years’ experiences in construction and social housing, which helps me apply health and safety sensibly and pragmatically.

Ultimately, my role is about protecting people, supporting services to do the right thing, and giving the Council confidence that health and safety is being managed effectively, transparently and in a way that makes sense on the ground.

Most of your previous health and safety roles were in the UK healthcare industry. What do you consider to be the key health and safety challenges in this sector?
Healthcare in any format is unique in its scale and complexity. Risks range from patient handling and infection control to hazardous substances, large estates, construction projects, and fire safety in high-risk environments. The challenge is balancing public finance with robust compliance, while supporting frontline staff to deliver safe patient care and maintain staff safety. That balance is demanding but it is also what makes the work rewarding, knowing that staff and patients are safer because of the systems and culture we help to create.

What do you enjoy most about being a health and safety professional?
For me, it is all about people. I love knowing that my work makes a real difference whether it is supporting staff through training, solving complex challenges, or preventing harm through effective systems with me by their side. That sense of impact of making work and care safer for others is what motivates me every day.  It also opens doors to new opportunities if you allow yourself to embrace the industry. For example last year I presented at the Health and Safety Event at the NEC, in Birmingham which was very enjoyable.

What would your advice be to anyone who aspires to make health and safety their career?
Invest in your education and apply what you learn in practical settings. Just as importantly, work on your ability to communicate, health and safety is about people, understanding them, influencing them, and supporting them. Be prepared to keep learning, as the field evolves constantly. And above all, do not be discouraged if the path is not straightforward and you hit the occasional brick wall. If you do remember you have several ways to get past that wall - climb it, go round it, or even demolish it! Persistence, passion, and adaptability will carry you through, and the rewards are worth it.