AROUND THE CLOCK AROUND THE CLOCK
Each issue we catch up with a health & safety professional to find out about their varied work/life balance. This month
we caught up with Sam Thomas, FP Systems & Solutions Sales Leader UK & Ireland at MSA.
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WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES? I first started working for the company six years ago
where I focused on the sales of the Latchways Personal Rescue Device within the UK. I now manage the fall protection systems and solutions division (formally the Latchways brand) for MSA Safety in the UK and Ireland. This covers a range of sectors - construction, industrial, utilities and aviation, for supply of our horizontal and vertical systems range.
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HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY? I was approached by a recruitment company about
six years ago and told about an opportunity that MSA had to offer. I felt that it was too good to miss out on. I was really motivated by the innovative products MSA manufactures, and the technology and engineering side of things. Working with a leader in the market has given me a great chance to really engage with the industry.
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WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS JOB? Previously, I was working for a consultancy firm
focused on the power industry in the Asian Pacific region. Basically, we would support Asian utility companies who were constructing new power plants and it involved a lot of travelling to the far east.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN A TYPICAL DAY? If I am in the office, a typical day would be working
on proposals, preparing customer presentations, ordering and coordinating projects on site. I will also then liaise with the different departments that we have here too – from quality and training to engineering. If I am not in the office, then I am on the road meeting with customers, solving their work at height challenges.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OR PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?
I would say that some of my most memorable moments would be the demonstration of MSA’s WinGrip System, a vacuum anchor fall protection solution for aircraft. It has been a fantastic opportunity to engage with this particular industry, that I had never dealt with before MSA. Working on top of a plane wing is a pretty awe-inspiring thing to do!
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? It is so varied, and no two days are the same.
One day I could be on the production line for a car manufacturer and the next day I could be right in the middle of a nuclear power plant – I’ve even been on the roof of Buckingham Palace.
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www.tomorrowshs.com
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WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF YOUR JOB? Travelling can be tough – particularly with a young
child, being on the road constantly and away from the family can take its toll. Luckily, I love my job!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ANYONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
Find an opportunity to work in the general construction and industrial sector before focusing on working at height. Work with customers and see things from their perspective – it helps no end when you’re recommending fall protection solutions to really understand customer needs.
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HOW DO YOU LIKE TO UNWIND? I enjoy being outdoors, running, playing some
football, spending time with my family going to Bristol Zoo. We also enjoying swimming and cooking together as a family. I chill out and wind down by meeting up with the guys at the pub.
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WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU LIKE IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS?
If I wasn’t doing what I currently am, I would be working in engineering within the design side of the automotive and aviation sectors. Otherwise, maybe I’d be keen to make it rich in stockbroking.
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