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Shaun Hudson CMIOSH
Senior Health & Safety Consultant
Shaun has over 30 years of professional experience spanning 10 years in heavy engineering, construction and 20 years for a global brewery in a health & safety advisory role. He has experience in the manufacturing and construction sector, he provides training on accredited courses and specialist training including Permit to Work. |
What was your motivation for working in health & safety?
Back in 1975 I wasn't particularly motivated and left school without sitting any exams and started work in a Foundry as an apprentice Loose Pattern Moulder. This was one year after the HASAW (Health & Safety at Work) Act came in. I was sent to St Helens Foundry training college and when I returned to work full-time, the then Foundry Workers Trade Union Shop steward said to me, "You can read and write how do you fancy being our new Union elected Health & Safety Representative"? This is where it all started for me - I became interested in health & safety and was now motivated.
What qualifications have you done and how have they helped you in your career?
In the early days I completed lots of TUC funded courses and went on to complete IOSH Managing Safely, the NEBOSH General Certificate and I then took a loan to complete the NEBOSH Diploma. I am now a proud Chartered Member of IOSH. I believe the mixture of work/union experience and safety qualifications help me to interact with people from all walks of life. I was also a GMB Union Convener with responsibilities for 550 members. I find that experience also helps.
Once I achieved the Diploma I was offered my first full time H&S role which was Managing Contractors and Permits to Work for a Global Brewing Company. The experience of this along with further qualifications led me to then be appointed as a Health, Safety & Environmental Specialist with a wide variation of responsibilities for the same company. I was never going back into a Foundry from there on.
Are you involved in health & safety groups or committees? And what benefits are these to you and you to them?
At the moment no, but in the early days I was involved in campaigning on behalf of the Foundry Workers Trade Union to have what was then known as "vibration white finger" recognized as an industrial disease, The campaign was successful and we now have legislation on this.
Do you read any regular online blogs/websites/e-newsletters in connection with work?
I regularly use the internet and "Google", no more trailing around libraries for me anymore. I am on the HSE website most weeks. In my opinion, it is the best H&S website in the world.
Give an example of training you have done, which sums up why you work in health & safety:
I now deliver nearly 30 different training courses from IOSH & NEBOSH accredited courses to company specific bespoke courses. For me this is much more interesting than the routines and politics of being an employee in industry. It is usually different on most days and you meet lots of interesting people.
The one I have most enjoyed up to now was the delivery of the NEBOSH Construction Certificate to the Royal Engineers - as well as the soldiers there was also a Major and a Captain on the course. The resulting examination achieved 9 Credits and 3 Distinctions -- I left school with no qualifications and no motivation - now I am motivating other people to achieve their ambitions. That really is job satisfaction.
If someone was considering changing their career to health & safety, what advice would you give them?
Genuine passion in the subject is important. My passion is the moral reason for health & safety. I have been married for 25 years with 3 kids of my own and 3 grandchildren. What drives me is never wishing upon anyone to see off a young loved one to work then later receiving a knock on the door to say you will never see them alive again! Unfortunately there are too many tragic cases of this happening. If you have the passion, go for it, if you are in a Trade Union get on the TUC courses, they are free. Progress to the IOSH and NEBOSH for the recognized qualifications and plenty of work/life experience will also help you.
Do not just find problems (that is easy), offer solutions, interpret and apply H&S legislation with the upmost integrity & honesty and you should make no enemies. Some H&S practitioners fail here! Above all you must have and maintain a sense of humour and be a moral person at all times. Improve competence whenever you can. | 
