Case Studies

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

No, I didn’t always plan to work in health and safety. At the beginning of my career in 2017, I witnessed something that changed my life. A young worker fell from a height of around three metres and lost his life. He was only 23 years old and had recently been married. The hardest part was not just the incident—it was informing his family. That moment stayed with me. It made me realise that behind every incident, there is a family, a future, and a life that cannot be replaced. From that day, I decided I didn’t just want a job—I wanted a purpose. I chose to move into health and safety so I could play a role in preventing such tragedies, helping to ensure that people return home safely to their loved ones.

You passed 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 recognised worldwide and provides a strong, practical foundation in health and safety. As I wanted to build a career that could take me across different countries and industries, it felt like the right starting point.

How did achieving this qualification help your career?

It gave me confidence and credibility early in my career. It helped me understand how to identify risks properly, think practically, and apply safety principles in real situations. It also opened doors internationally, later allowing me to work in different countries and gain diverse experience.

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

That safety is not just about rules, it’s about people, their behaviour, and making sure everyone goes home safe.

You have over ten years health and safety experience. What qualities define a successful health and safety professional?

In my experience, it’s not just about technical knowledge. A good safety professional must be able to communicate clearly, build trust and influence people positively. You need to understand human behaviour, stay calm under pressure, and lead by example. Most importantly, you need to genuinely care about people, as that is what makes the real difference.
During your career you’ve worked in Pakistan, Qatar, and Sweden. What advice would you give to safety professionals considering a move overseas?

Be open to learning and adapting. Every country has different regulations, cultures, and ways of working. If you focus only on rules, you may struggle, but if you focus on understanding people and building relationships, you will succeed anywhere. Strong communication and respect for cultural differences are key.

You have worked for Collen Construction in Sweden since 2024. Can you tell us about the company and its health and safety ethos?

Collen Construction is an engineering-led construction company with over 200 years’ experience. The company delivers high-quality, innovative solutions across a diverse range of sectors, underpinned by deep technical expertise and a culture of collaboration, precision and reliability. The organisation is headquartered in Dublin, with offices in the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden, where I am based.

From my experience, there is a strong focus on planning, leadership involvement and continuous improvement in health and safety. The approach is proactive rather than reactive, which helps create a safer and more controlled working environment.

Your role is a Safety Officer. Can you tell us about your responsibilities?

My role involves supporting the safe delivery of projects on a daily basis. This includes carrying out risk assessments, site inspections and incident investigations, as well as delivering training and working closely with site teams. A big part of my role is also engaging with workers by listening to them, understanding their challenges, and helping to build a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility.

Since 2025, you have also been the host of a health and safety podcast. Can you tell us about this?

Yes, I started my podcast to share real conversations from the health and safety world.

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with experienced professionals from different countries and organisations. The aim is to make safety learning more practical, relatable and engaging, especially for those who may not have access to this kind of knowledge. Alongside the podcast, I also share content on YouTube and LinkedIn to support and connect with the global safety community.

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

For me, it’s knowing that the work we do has a real impact on people’s lives. If we can prevent even one incident, it means someone gets to go home to their family safely, and that is the most rewarding part of this profession.

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

Start with a strong foundation like NEBOSH, but don’t stop there. Gain practical experience, learn from real situations, and focus on developing your communication and leadership skills. Stay curious, keep improving, and always remember why this profession matters. It’s about people, not just processes.

How do you see health and safety evolving in the future?

I believe the future of health and safety will focus more on people rather than just compliance. Safety systems remain important, but industry is increasingly recognising the need to better understand how work is actually carried out. A more human approach will help create stronger, safer workplaces.