Case Studies

India, please can you tell us what attracted you to a career in Health and Safety?

I first became interested in Health and Safety after experiencing a workplace incident myself. It made me realise how important it is to take safety seriously and how much of a difference the right systems and culture can make.

When I was made redundant during COVID, I took it as an opportunity to rethink my career. I’d always wanted to do something that had a real impact on people’s wellbeing, and Health and Safety felt like the right direction. I decided that if I didn’t pursue it then, I might never get the chance again.

You took your first NEBOSH qualification, the NEBOSH General Certificate, in 2022:

• Why did you choose this qualification?

During the first week in my first role in health and safety, Michael, the company’s external Health and Safety consultant, visited me. After observing my role and speaking with me, he strongly recommended that I pursue the NEBOSH General Certificate. He explained that it would provide a solid foundation to help me understand the principles behind what I was doing day‑to‑day. It really helped me build my confidence, strengthen my knowledge and set myself up for a long‑term career in health and safety.

• How did achieving this qualification help you?

Achieving the NEBOSH General Certificate really strengthened my understanding of what a company must do to keep people safe. It helped me learn about the legal responsibilities employers have, the standards they must meet, and the systems that should be in place to protect employees. It also gave me a much better understanding of how to identify risks, control hazards, and ensure the workplace is both safe and healthy. Overall, it gave me the confidence to contribute more effectively in my role.

In 2023, you were one of 20 recipients of the Michael Adamson NEBOSH Diploma Scholarship. Congratulations! Can you share how you felt when you found out?

I remember getting an email saying that NEBOSH were having difficulty choosing the recipients and that the announcement date had been pushed back. I took that as a sign that I probably hadn’t been successful. When the final email arrived saying I had been chosen as one of the recipients, I was genuinely shocked. It didn’t feel real at first, but I was incredibly excited and proud. It felt like a huge achievement. As I couldn’t tell anyone straight away until it was officially announced, I had to sit with all the excitement bottled up for a while.

You attended the NEBOSH graduation ceremony last year—what was your experience of the day?

I never imagined I would ever be graduating from anything educational, so walking into the NEBOSH ceremony felt surreal. It was an incredible achievement for me personally. What made it even more special was being surrounded by so many others who had completed the same qualification. Everyone in the room shared the same passion for making workplaces safer and healthier, and that created such a positive, inspiring atmosphere. It was one of those moments where everything you’ve worked for suddenly feels real.

Since being awarded the scholarship, you passed the final unit of your NEBOSH Level 6 International Diploma for Health and Safety Management Professionals, and you moved into a manager role. How do you feel your scholarship helped progress your career?

I hadn’t planned to move into a management role so soon after finishing my Level 6 Diploma, but it really did feel like everything aligned at the right moment. Being awarded the scholarship gave me a huge boost in confidence and helped me see health and safety from a much broader, more strategic perspective.

The support and recognition that came with the scholarship pushed me to stretch myself professionally. It made me more aware of the bigger picture; not just how to carry out tasks, but how to lead, influence, and make decisions that shape a safer workplace. That wider understanding, combined with the motivation the scholarship gave me, played a big part in preparing me for a management position. It helped me step into the role feeling capable, knowledgeable and ready to take on more responsibility.

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

The part of my NEBOSH studies I enjoyed the most was learning about human factors and behaviour. Understanding why people make mistakes, how systems influence behaviour and what drives engagement, really changed the way I look at health and safety. Learning how to reduce human error, design safer processes and improve worker involvement helped me see that safety isn’t just about rules, it’s about people. That insight has been one of the most valuable parts of my development.

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

Starting out on a picking line with no real understanding of health and safety has shaped the way I work today. What I enjoy most is spending time with employees at every level: talking to them, listening to them and helping them understand the risks around them.

There’s something genuinely rewarding about knowing the business is doing everything it can to protect people and being part of that process. I like being out on the floor, supporting teams, raising awareness and making sure everyone goes home safe and healthy. For me, it’s the combination of people, purpose and impact that makes this career so fulfilling.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing health and safety professionals today?

One of the biggest challenges right now is driving meaningful culture change. It’s not just about having policies, procedures or paperwork, it’s about getting people at every level to genuinely understand why safety matters and to take ownership of it. Changing attitudes, influencing behaviours and keeping momentum going can be difficult, especially in fast-paced environments where production pressures or old habits can get in the way. Health and safety professionals are constantly trying to move things forward, but progress relies on engagement, consistency and leadership support.

Looking back on your career to date, what achievements are you most proud of?

Looking back on my career so far, the achievement I’m most proud of is graduating and earning a high-level qualification despite being diagnosed with dyslexia. There were times when studying felt overwhelming, and I doubted whether I could reach that level academically. Completing the NEBOSH Diploma proved to me that I’m capable of far more than I ever thought. That pride stays with me every day and motivates me to keep pushing forward in my career.

What would be your advice be to anyone at the start of their health and safety career?

Health and safety can feel challenging at times, and you’ll definitely face hurdles along the way, but don’t let those stop you. Stay curious, keep learning and believe in yourself. Every step you take, no matter how small, contributes to creating safer workplaces and making a real difference to people’s lives. It’s a career where your effort truly matters.