Focus on.. Amanda Whitworth, Health & Safety
Health and Safety in the steel frame construction business is vitally important. We have a responsibility to everyone who works with us, and health and safety is particularly important on-site, where we may have contractors operating machinery, working at height, or fixing the electrical systems. It’s also crucial that we hold the latest certifications, including ISO 14001:2015, Constructionline, and CHAS standards, and that the relevant people hold up-to-date RAMS Training Certificates.
But here’s what Amanda has to say about her role at Carnegie Group:
What brought you to Carnegie Group?
After moving to West Sussex in the early 2000s, I started work at Gatwick Airport, where I had a very varied and interesting career lasting for 17 years. I did my NEBOSH qualification in 2018 and was working in Health and Safety when I left the aviation world due to the Pandemic. After some time in Private Healthcare and Train Maintenance, I took a brief sabbatical before I was offered the role at Carnegie. It has been six months, and I have learnt a lot about construction processes and safety. I feel I still have a lot more to learn but I like a challenge!
Tell us a bit about what you do day to day.
It’s quite a varied role. I request RAMS for new works from our subcontractors, review them for any amendments required, and request changes prior to including them in Carnegie RAMS to be distributed to the client. I maintain subcontractor records including CSCS cards, compliance, operation qualifications, requesting updated copies when they have expired I also file health & safety and environmental documentation provided from site in the appropriate client files, for example inductions, plant inspections, site sign in sheets, waste notes. I am also responsible for maintaining our company accreditations and certifications, completing annual renewal compliance questionnaires and making applications for new accreditations when requested. I regularly audit health & safety and environment systems and processes alongside our external health & safety consultant and senior management team. I spend some time updating and creating new policies and procedures to ensure compliance standards are being met.
What keeps you motivated?
In my role the motivation is striving to ensure that everyone on site – and in the office- goes home safe and healthy after a day’s work – it is the fundamental principle of having our Health and Safety Policy in place.
If you weren’t in health and safety what would you do?
I would love to run my own little cafe near a beach and write a best-selling book in my spare time!
And out of work what’s the story?
I love to travel and have been lucky enough to have been to a lot of amazing places – as well as living in Cape Town for a large part of my (long gone!) youth. I am a mother and grandma so family is key, and we love making good food and having games nights. I also read a lot and I always have a book on the go.
Final question, what’s your favourite song?
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5