REGULAR 10 QUESTIONS WITH…


Each month, we ask a health and safety professional the Tomorrow’s Health & Safety 10 Questions.


This month, we chatted to Gary Escott, Director of OnGrade Ltd. Q1


WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?


My first job was as a research and development technician for a major chemicals manufacturer; at the time, I was researching what was known as advanced liquid crystal technology


Q2


HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE HEALTH


AND SAFETY INDUSTRY? I was exposed to the health and safety field in my first job role, as there are a wide variety of hazards in a chemical research and development environment. This made me acutely aware, at a young age, of the importance of health and safety in the workplace. Accidents happen, people are at risk of injury and health can be affected by your work.


Q3


IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER FOR A DAY,


WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I was going to go for the default option of flying but the possible health and safety issues are alarming. Given that flying could be quite hazardous, I’ll go for telekinesis – it’s practical but you could have some fun with it as well.


alike. You want people to go home safe and well at the end of the day, and for businesses to prosper without the side effects of injury, ill-health and litigation.


Q5 Q6 Q4


HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE HEALTH


AND SAFETY INDUSTRY? The ongoing positive evolution of health and safety practice is going to rely on changing behaviours and cultures. We need to eradicate the impression that health and safety is a barrier and an inconvenience. Instead, promote that it is a sound benefit to employers and employees


54


WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE TO


SOMEONE NEW COMING INTO THE PROFESSION? Quite simply, listen to everyone but draw your own conclusions.


WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMBAT NEGATIVE


ATTITUDES TO HEALTH AND SAFETY? I think it’s important to establish a sensible dialogue and try to ensure people understand that health and safety practices exist for everyone’s wellbeing. Continually spread the message that it’s a benefit, not a burden. That means explaining clearly what those benefits are, by ensuring that workers don’t become ill or injured as a result of their job, families don’t lose out when breadwinners don’t come back home. It means that employers demonstrate that they care about their biggest asset – their


workforce. A good by-product of this is that the business succeeds because the workforce is happy and healthy. There are less skills drains, brand value is enhanced by good practice and there’s no economic loss because of litigation and insurance claims. It’s a win-win situation. Fundamentally however, it’s about preserving the respect for lives and livelihood.


Q7


IF YOU COULD HAVE A DINNER PARTY WITH ANY


THREE PEOPLE, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD THEY BE AND WHY? Billy Connolly - his Big Banana Feet video was one of the first videos I ever watched way back in the early 80s and he is as funny today as he was then. I was torn between Mohammed Ali or Bobby Moore; in the end, I chose Ali as he was more than a sportsman and defined so many things, definitely the greatest. The third is my father, 30 years on it would be great to sit down and have a catch up.


Q8


WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE


HEALTH AND SAFETY INDUSTRY? I am optimistic that going forward health and safety will become more inclusive, eventually ensuring that people’s health at work will be on equal footing with securing their safety. Presently, that is not the case and we have a way to go to achieve the balance.


Q9


WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY?


Take an extended holiday. Q10


DALE JONES, TECHNICAL MANAGER, ALCUMUS


SAFECONTRACTOR, ASKED: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HEALTH AND SAFETY TOPIC AND WHY? The plant/pedestrian interface is top of my list. It is what we develop and champion as a company and when you see the devastating effects these collisions can have, you become emotionally invested.


www.proximitywarning.com www.tomorrowshs.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60