Close-up Angela Newman

This edition's Close-up features Cardiff-based Course Adviser Angela Newman , who advises clients interested in health and safety training courses at the West and East Midlands Open course venues. With a BA (Hons),a PGCE, the NEBOSH General Certificate and the NEBOSH Fire Certificate, as well as having taken the IFE Fire course, Angela is well qualified to give advice based on her extensive qualifications and experience. She lives in Bridgend with her husband Jeff and daughterJessica and her main interest, beyond being a busy working mum, is researching the family tree.

CC: When did you decide to become involved in the health and safety profession?

AN: By accident! Excuse the pun. I saw the advert for an office-based sales (?) post and applied. My first day in the job I was sent to take the NEBOSH General Certificate. Having only worked in office-type environments, I had not had much exposure to health and safety, so this was a real eye-opener for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the course (the exams not so much!) and I passed with a credit. This course gave me a thorough insight into health andsafety and has helped me immensely with advising potential delegates wishing to attend this and any other health and safety courses. I've since completed the NEBOSH Fire Certificate and the IFE technician grade course that we run, which has given me a further insight into fire safety.

CC: Which is the most important reason for observing health & safety regulations; moral, legal or financial?

AN: All three are important, but my personal view is the moral factor. A person should expect to be able to attend their place of work, be safe whilst they carry out their work and to go home at the end of the day, in much the same state as they arrived.

CC: What makes you get up in the morning?

AN: My daughter and my husband.

CC: What do you think is your best characteristic?

AN: My patience and understanding of the needs of others.

CC: And your worst?

AN: Apparently, (according to my husband!) "I always think I'm right"

CC: Do you have a half-full or half empty view on life?

AN: Half full.

CC: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

AN : "If life serves you lemons - make lemonade".

CC: What was your most embarrassing moment?

AN: Most recently, I attended a charity fund raising event for a special needs school in Bridgend with a few members of my family and had a little too much champagne and ended up pogoing (as in the punk dance) along to the music.It's not something I'm going to be allowed to forget in a hurry!

CC: What was your favourite subject at school?

AN: English

CC: Here's six million pounds; what is the first thing you're going to buy?

AN: A holiday for all my family.

CC: Who was your favourite teacher in school and why?

AN: Mrs Knight - last year of junior school. She was a fascinating person who had travelled a great deal and taught us about all sorts of things; she encouraged us to have a thirst for knowledge and to find things out for ourselves.

CC: What is guaranteed to make you laugh?

AN: Tommy Cooper sketches.