An hour in the life of an occupational health and safety advisor

I work closely with every sector of WSP, continually striving to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of colleagues.

From supporting new wellbeing initiatives and improving processes, to making existing processes easier to use, being a #wspchangemaker is the essence of my job - an occupational health and safety advisor in the health and safety team. 

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a big challenge for the team has been to deal with the volume of individuals asking for assistance due to working more from home. We consider it a very positive thing that people are not suffering in silence and feel they can actively seek assistance.

It always gives me a lot of satisfaction when I see that the recommendations the team has made for a colleague results in improvements. For example, perhaps someone who has been suffering with musculoskeletal conditions has, with our help, gone on to feel significantly reduced, or even ceased, pain.

I feel strongly that we can each be a #changemaker in our personal lives too. In October 2019 I stopped driving [because I wanted to reduce my impact on the environment]. I do not own a car and only travel by public transport. I live in a small town in Derbyshire so sometimes this is a challenge, but it is doable.

Dame Katherine Grainger is a person who is just amazing, and not just because of her Olympian status. She has used her position to enhance the lives of children through her involvement with International Inspiration - a charity that promotes access to sport, play, and physical exercise for underprivileged children around the world.