laura gibbons

MY  SECONDARY  SCHOOL:  Presentation College, Athenry, Co. Galway

YEAR  I  GRADUATED  FROM  NUI,GALWAY:  2007

WHAT  I  DO  NOW:

I am a Safety, Health and Environmental Officer with Ascon, a construction company. I currently work in Waterford, where Ascon are designing and constructing 23km of dual carriageway and associated infrastructure - link and side roads, bridges, etc.

My duties and responsibilities include:

• Advising site management, operatives and subcontractors as to their duties with regard to health and safety.
• Inspecting work locations and activities, and monitoring sub-contractors to ensure safe systems of work are being adopted.
• Identifying training needs for site-based staff
• Providing engineers with advice on health and safety issues.
• Keeping aware of new legislation on safety-related matters.
• Giving site inductions and briefings.
• Investigating any accidents and dangerous occurrences detailing causes, conclusions and recommendations.
• Enforcing site safety rules and promoting safe work practices

As work on site is constantly changing, every day brings new challenges. I interact a lot with other departments and with workers on site. While there is a lot of paperwork to complete, I am not confined to the office. It's a demanding job, but enjoyable.

MY  FIRST  JOB:

This is my first 'real' job. However, I had my first experience of working in a health and safety department, at the end of second year – I succeeded in getting summer work from Ascon. This work went well; Ascon took me on for my PEP placement, and also offered me a job if I wished to come back at the end of my studies.

THE  'IN-BETWEEN' YEARS!

As this is my first job, I have no 'in-between' years

LOOKING BACK ON WHY I  DID THE BSc HEALTH AND SAFETY:

I chose Health and Safety as I enjoy working both in the office and outdoors. I am happy with my role as it is now a necessity in every workplace. It applies to all types of business, which gives me the option to change the type of work I do, in the future. Also, as health and safety practice is growing, if I wish to travel, I will be able to secure employment in other countries.

There is great satisfaction in knowing that I play a part in ensuring safety and preventing accidents on site. The wages are also fairly good!

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