Lessons in safety - December 2024

When people think about the role of a health and safety director, they would probably say ‘to ensure compliance with health and safety laws and guidance’. Whilst that is part of what I do, my role is so much more than that: my role is to care for the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees and our customers. It is also to ensure that we do everything to not only keep them safe and not negatively affected by our business operations but also to help improve their overall health.

I do a lot of root cause analysis work to further develop and support our health, safety, and wellbeing strategy, monitor performance, consult with employees, think about how we can improve what we do, look at market-leading technologies and mentor and encourage people to look out for themselves and others. I also support our onsite medical team, who provide medical services, including physiotherapy advice, to our employees across the group. My role is to be someone that people can speak to about any concerns or to share ideas they may have.

You have completed the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety and NEBOSH Level 6 National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals. Can you explain how your role developed or any changes you made/want to make in the business after completing your Diploma?

Shortly after qualifying, I became health and safety director, which I am immensely proud of. Since completing my Diploma I have been working hard to ensure that health and safety is more aligned with our business strategy so that it can help support and progress the business and our employees. I find that working with employees and managers and understanding their roles, interests and priorities allows us to have a more tailored and practical approach to health and safety.

My team and I have also focused on being more data-driven. For example, looking at topical issues and then running campaigns or audits on certain areas. We have a layered approach and look at health and safety performance holistically. We have also tried to make health and safety more engaging for employees; modernising the look and feel of our forms, posters and noticeboards. Continuously thanking employees for their contributions to health and safety has really furthered our safety culture here at James Hall.

What achievements are you most proud of in your career?

In terms of my career at James Hall, I am most proud of how my team have changed the perception of health and safety, with the inclusion of wellbeing, in our workplace. I was really keen to move away from health and safety being associated with compliance. Our Policy Statement was amended, and the first line is now ‘We Care About You’ – because ultimately, that is at the core of health and safety. It is about caring for everyone affected by our work and encouraging staff to care about others. We do not comply with health and safety because it’s the law; the law is there because it’s the right thing to do.

We have also added numerous ways employees can engage with us, from QR codes, more regular meetings and walkarounds, noticeboards, and campaigns to communal inboxes. In the last year, this has enabled us to increase near miss and concern reports by 47% and reduce accidents by 41%; I am really proud of all our employees who have engaged and joined us on our journey.

My team and I have a view of health, safety and wellbeing that extends from the workplace. We want people to leave work not just as they arrived, but even better, so they can go home and share what they’ve learnt and contribute to a healthier, safer, and happier society. The inclusion of wellbeing really helps with this goal.

Read Jayne’s extended interview here: www.nebosh.org.uk/jayne-housson

Jayne Housson is health and safety director at James Hall and Company ltd. For more information, visit www.nebosh.org.uk