Andrew Walsh — Occupational Health & Safety, Oldham Borough Council
Andrew’s interest in Environmental Health sprang from work experience when he was at school. Later, a GNVQ in advanced science gave him access to a BSc sandwich course and full qualification as an EHP in 2003. He particularly enjoys the positive side of his current specialism, Occupational Health & Safety.
“My work is a blend of enforcement and education. We develop very good relationships with companies who realise that we're actually helping their businesses to be more effective and cost efficient.
“Mind you, the training can’t properly prepare you for everything. I recently had to go to the scene of a very serious accident at work. I was trying to establish facts and put things into context within an hour of the incident, which isn’t easy when there’s blood everywhere and people in deep shock and distress. I’m not saying things like that happen every day, but it’s very much a part of the job.
“You do have to be good with people, no question. In the same day I might have a meeting with the Director of a large international company; and be visiting the owner of a small retail outlet. The common denominator is this: we’re helping them to run a better business.”