Sarah James
Health and safety consultant at Carney Consultancy
What were your career ambitions growing up?
I wanted to join the police. I thought this would be really exciting. I also wanted to give back, help people and get a sense of achievement from it. I joined the police as a special but decided it wasn’t for me. I then worked in retail and had the opportunity to do health and safety, this was the stepping stone to where I am today.
I joined the team at Carney Consultancy nearly four years ago. Prior to this I was in a junior construction design and management (CDM) role.
Tell us about your current role.
In my current role as a health and safety consultant, my job is very varied from running health and safety training courses, conducting accident investigations, risk assessment method statements through to site inspections.
I am also a mentor to two of my colleagues, trainee health and safety advisor, Gary Tonks and health and safety advisor, Jamie Clark. I helped to train them in their roles and I also mentor a student, from Middlesbrough College, who comes onto site one day a week with me to gain real life work experience.
Why do you like working at Carney Consultancy?
I enjoy it because it is a supportive team and the role varies a lot. I can be out on site, in the office or teaching training courses, in areas such as manual handling, health and safety awareness or face fit testing.
How has your career developed working at the company?
Massively. I started as a trainee and have progressed through to a consultant. During my time at Carney Consultancy, I have completed a NEBOSH Construction certificate and NEBOSH Diploma.
I am also a member of the regional branch of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and I am currently undertaking a level 2 team leading course via Learning Curve. All of which is down to the personal progression routes that the company offers
What are you currently working on?
A number of commercial projects which involves liaising with various site managers and project managers as well as with organisations who are looking to become ISO accredited. This involves me working with the organisations during the year then with the auditors to undertake the external audits.
I am also really enjoying working as part of wider company strategy to support the Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter. We support many initiatives across the region and I am pleased to assist the shelter with its health and safety procedures.
Tell us about your team?
The good thing about our team is that we all have different backgrounds, some progressed their careers in the trades, others from university and from within commercial settings and we are also building our own pipeline of new talent, via our apprentices.
This means we all have someone within the business we can turn to for advice or guidance within a specific area.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Always take the opportunity to learn something new and to develop new skills.
How do you like to unwind outside of work?
By spending time with my friends and family and my dog, Ollie! He often enjoys coming into the office at Carney Consultancy and is a firm favourite with the team.