After a public vote and consultation with our judging panel, SHP is pleased to announce Steven Harris as its Most Influential person in health and safety for 2023.
Steven Harris, a health and safety consultant at Integrity HSE, has topped SHP’s 2023 list of the Most Influential people, following a public vote of SHP readers and scrutiny from an expert judging panel of health and safety professionals.
This year the awards are in association with HSE Recruitment Network and its director Laura Aucott, who was involved in the judging of this category, had the following to say about this year’s winner: “Steven’s commitment to health and safety, as well as his charity work and contributions were inspirational, and make him a very worthy winner of this year’s Most Influential award. He dedicates time to working with industry groups and bodies, mentors several junior safety professionals and helps educate on health and safety through lectures, engagement and his writing. All of our nominees this year were genuinely fantastic, and it is truly a credit to what Steven does that the sector has chosen him as their Most Influential. We are delighted for Steven and look forward to seeing more from him in 2024.”
Commenting on winning the award, Harris said: “My heartfelt thanks to all those who nominated and voted for me; and my deepest respect and admiration to the other 25 nominees. I am genuinely delighted, and the fact that this year’s award is in tribute to the memory of Mavis Nye for her campaigning around asbestos awareness makes it even more special.”
Steven Harris, SHP’s Most Influential person of 2023
“Steve is a values-driven force of nature in the world of health and safety and I am sure he does lots more that I am not aware of…but I can assure you that he deserves this nomination and every piece of recognition that comes with it.” The words to support Harris’ original nomination recognise a professional who heavily supports and contributes to the wider sector but is happy to stay below than radar rather than shout about his (many) achievements, a trait recognised by the judges but also the wider SHP readership – the health and safety profession.
That’s not to say his guidance isn’t sought after. His 25,000 personal LinkedIn followers, are fully engaged with his posts that share knowledge around current safety processes, however, he uses the forums to also respectfully challenge these systems.
Having worked primarily in the energy sector, he now runs his own consultancy business, however, he often turns down clients because they do not match his moral and ethical standards in terms of health and safety. Instead, he uses the company as a vehicle to continue to give to various charities, as well as sponsoring events that pass on critical safety knowledge.
He also acts as a mentor for three health and safety professionals, who are all in different stages of their careers.
Harris lectures at Robert Gordon University teaching the next generation of engineers on the health and safety risks of the sector – feedback from students is always positive, who appreciate his obvious passion for the subject.
Given his background, he continues to dedicate time to several industry trade and industry bodies, working closely with Offshore Energies UK, where he is active in several health and safety-focussed work groups, as well as leading the way with keynotes at their 2023 HSE conference.
When SHP phoned Steven to give him the news, he had to phone us back as the training session he was leading was running over. He explained that the Q&A session had to be extended as the students had so many thoughts. Impressed by the students’ obvious engagement I told him he must have been delivering a good session. His answer burst with enthusiasm. “It’s great when the students are involved and obviously taking it all on board,” he said. “It’s why I do it.”
Most Influential is part of the SHP Awards programme, which celebrates the achievements of health & safety professionals at all stages of their career. Winners of the 2023 Rising Star award have been announced here and the 2023 Trailblazer award announced here. The SHP Awards 2023 have been in collaboration with the HSE Recruitment Network.
