Danny Plumb – How did I get here?

How did you get into health and safety?

I was working within the British Gas Technical Safety team and accepted a secondment opportunity with the HSE team. I was later interviewed and accepted as a HSE advisor in London and the South East for our Service and Repair business.

What qualifications do you hold?

I still hold my Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS) for all gas work. I also hold City and Guilds ‘Carbon Monoxide Incident Investigation’. I have the NEBOSH General Certificate and have just completed the Nottingham Trent Professional Diploma in Safety, Health and Environmental Management.

Which aspects of your health and safety role do you most enjoy?

Within a fast-moving and dynamic company such as British Gas, every day brings different and new challenges. We have more than 10,000 engineers working in customers’ premises – a challenge itself. This, along with many other issues, makes every day different – you never know what it will bring!

What have been the highest and lowest points in your career?

In 2010, I won the SHP IOSH Award for New Entrant of the Year – an award I am extremely proud of. The lowest point has been the involvement of an external investigation (with the HSE) into a carbonmonoxide fatality in London.

What has been the biggest change in H&S since you have been working in it?

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Coalition Government continues to look to change the perception of health and safety while ensuring that the necessary measures and controls continue to be in place.

What do you think will be the biggest developments in the next 10 years?

Looking at how the HSE will continue to support and react in light of the recent Löfstedt review and the Government response.

If you were PM for a day which H&S law(s) would you introduce or repeal?

I’d improve the range of legislationcovering risk assessment into one ACoP, with a small number of standardised forms using simple risk-evaluation processes and linked to an online national database. This would massively reduce duplication of effort around the country and would mean time would be better spent on coaching safe behaviours on the job. I’d do the same for method statements, too!

How do you capitalise on your IOSH membership?

I keep up to date by reading SHP and use my membership for many different and varied networking opportunities.

What are your top two tips on getting a job in health and safety?

I try to be as enthusiastic and helpful as l can. Try to engage with your ‘customers’, both internal and external, and always be on hand to give advice but never be afraid to ask for guidance.

Who has had the biggest impact on your career and how?

I would say the HSE team at British Gas has had a massive impact in my development. In particular, Andy Bird and Chris Huddart have both offered me support, help, guidance and friendship – all of which, I believe, are equally important.

If you could be anything other than a H&S practitioner what would you be?

I’m sports mad, especially about football, and hold my FA coaching badges. In my spare time I coach/manage Harpenden Town FC and coach local youth football. I would love to manage in the Premier League. One season’s wages