REGULAR Each month, we catch up with a health & safety professional to find out
about their varied work/life balance. This month we caught up with Simon Jones Technical Director, Alcumus HSE.
AROUND THE CLOCK 7
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WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES? I’m responsible for the technical elements of the
Alcumus HSE business. This includes supporting the technical competence of consultants we employ, ensuring complete accuracy of the reports we produce, creating content for training, maintaining accreditations, managing the advisory and technical resources team and delivering services to clients.
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HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY? I qualified as an Environmental Health Officer in
1990 and worked in several commercial enforcement roles before joining what was the University of Glamorgan as a Health and Safety Consultant.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS JOB? Before taking up the role of Technical Director I
was the Head of Training Practice for Alcumus HSE, where I was responsible for the training services that we offered.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN A TYPICAL DAY? Like many safety professionals, none of my days
are typical. I do, however, have days in the office where I can plan and review performance activities and support my team. I also get days out of the office with clients, either working with them to solve problems, providing training or supporting our sales teams in technical discussions.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE OR PROUDEST WORK MOMENT?
I struggle to think of a single moment, however, what makes me proud at work is seeing the achievement of others. Through our teaching programmes such as the NEBOSH qualifications or by supporting clients or other colleagues to achieve recognition or qualifications is extremely satisfying. Teaching health and safety as a subject and influencing people in the profession is a privilege.
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WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? The best part of my job is its variability. It’s great
that no two days are the same and I work with some really enthusiastic and committed people which helps keep me focused and happy at work.
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HOW DO YOU LIKE TO UNWIND? I live in a beautiful part of South Wales so my wife
and I enjoy mountain walks, as long as there is a pub at the end. I also own a motorbike which I ride at trackday events. The adrenalin rush always puts a smile on my face, especially when I keep the bike the right way up.
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WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU LIKE IF YOU WEREN’T DOING THIS?
I always wanted to be a pilot but with dodgy eyesight and a fear of heights it was never going to happen.
www.tomorrowshs.com 8
WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF YOUR JOB? Tough question as I don’t think there is a bad
part, but the most challenging areas are getting the right commercial balance when managing time and utilisation as you always want to do more for clients. Also, making sure I’m at the right meeting at the right time!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ANYONE STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
My advice to anyone starting out in a health and safety career is get qualified and experience as much as you can. We are all always learning, and nobody has all the answers, but if you can broaden your experiences then that can help you apply your knowledge in even the most unusual situations. Coupled with credible qualifications, this will give you confidence and credibility in the profession as well as with your non- health-and-safety colleagues.
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