Biog AE

What do you do for your day job?

I’m a Regional Safety Advisor working for Howdens Joinery.  The company is the largest manufacturer of kitchens in Europe with manufacturing sites in Cheshire and Yorkshire.  We have nearly 600 retail outlets (selling directly to trade customers only) across the UK and some in Northern France; I look after the ones in London and the South East.  I’m a gamekeeper turned poacher, having previously worked as an EHO for over 15 years.

What is a typical day’s work for you?

My primary function is to support our Trade Depot Managers with their Health and Safety responsibilities.  I conduct H&S advisory visits and write reports, assist with  accident investigations, H&S training and support and keep people up to date on legislative changes including the H&S procedures for within the depots.

How did you become a member of the London Safety Group committee?

I was at Health and Safety South Expo a couple of years ago where there was a stand for H&S Groups and Committees across the country.  I started attending the London Group as it was my nearest one and really enjoyed it.

What benefits do you feel that the Group bring for you?

The Group arranges brilliant information sessions which help to keep me up to date with H&S topics and boost my CPD.  The Group is really friendly too.

What do you find the most interesting part of your role within the Group?

Not sure yet as I have only just come onto the Committee ……!  But I am really pleased to be on board in time for the group’s 75th Anniversary next year.

What presents the most challenges?

As above.

What’s your health and safety ‘soap-box’ subject?

I am an advocate of simple, sensible H&S which is why I dislike ‘elf and safety’ and the way H&S gets ridiculed in the press because only part of the story is reported or it is reported incorrectly because it makes sensational reading.  When H&S becomes the scapegoat for people making decisions for insurance purposes is another pet hate on a similar vein.  This is why I like the HSE website in particular the ‘myth busters’:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/Myth/myth-busting/index.htm

What is your one piece of advice for a practising safety professional?

Never make assumptions – sometimes something which seems blindingly obvious may not be the case once you have done some ‘digging’; always make sure you have all the facts.

One piece of advice for someone thinking of becoming a health and safety professional?

Get a good basic H&S qualification then see if you can get a post where you will be sponsored to do a more thorough qualification as well as gaining on the job experience.

Finally, something personal about you not related at all to h&s or your day job e.g. Played Rugby for England / Dated Jude Law before he became famous. No porkeys please and if you have a photo all the better!

I used to steward at Wembley for concerts and once wangled my way backstage at a Yes concert ….. (not sure this is something to be proud of though, I guess it depends on your musical taste!)