NAME: Peter Lee-Cooper COMPANY/REGION: CALA Homes (Yorkshire & Midlands) Ltd. JOB TITLE: Regional Health and Safety Manager DEPARTMENT: Health and Safety PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES? The Health and Safety departments function is to ensure that CALA Homes operations meet and surpass all the requirements of relevant health and safety regulations both current and forthcoming. Through setting and pursuing high standards we ensure a safe working environment and positive culture for employees, subcontractors and the general public whilst mitigating risk to the organisation. PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS? My role involves promoting safety, monitoring/creating systems and ensuring regulatory compliance which entails liaising with all levels of the organisation. For example, tomorrow morning I have a meeting on site to formally record a Principal Contractor handover from a groundworks contractor to CALA Homes. Following this I will be meeting a site manager on another development to discuss a recent NHBC report and devise a safe system of work to address a problem that has arisen. I will return to the regional office to complete the Pre-Construction Information pack required for the tender process on an upcoming development. The last job for the day is to meet with an organisation that can assist contractors in gaining level 2 NVQ’s (via on site assessment and training). This enables operatives to gain CSCS cards; raising basic standards of competence on our sites. Then its off home and yes I cover a lot of miles! WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? I like the variety of work, the working environment and the travelling. Although challenging, it is a great feeling that you can actually make a difference and improve working conditions and behavioural safety.Contrary to popular belief, health and safety is quite a social role as you come into contact with all levels of the industry; engineers, designers, surveyors, architects, tradespeople, sales personnel and external consultants. I also enjoy a level of autonomy which allows a degree of freedom to address issues independently and introduce proactive systems. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER? As an ex-joiner I was familiar with the building industry and frustrated with the limited level of progression available. Having witnessed several serious accidents and left feeling frustrated by clearly evident organisational failures my interest in safety issues grew and I found myself picking up the books and studying again in my early thirties. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB? Having held a trade associated National Diploma, with the support of my partner (and young son) I decided to go to the next level and attempt to gain a Degree in Safety, Health and Environmental Management. As a mature student this was a challenge that paid off as I consider it gave me the edge needed to gain my present position. IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA? My advise is as follows; · Make good use of the long summer breaks to gain some experience. · Don’t wait for employers to come to you…Go to them!
