After three years with the Indian Army National Cadet Corps while at university, Saravanakumar Natarajan CMIOSH has used a military-like focus in his OSH career to become one of IOSH’s youngest Chartered Members.
How did you get into the health and safety profession?
During undergraduate studies, my ambition was to join the armed forces but personal reasons meant I was unable to. Instead, I started to focus on health and safety. The reason for my interest in both these careers is similar: to protect people and have the utmost job satisfaction in the day-to-day care of others.
You were in India’s National Cadet Corps – how did that help your career?
I got basic military training during my undergraduate studies, and I held the rank of company sergeant major. That experience was a turning point: it taught me time management, how to take accountability for tasks, how to take the first step towards new initiatives, and the importance of being honest and motivated even in difficult situations. Most importantly, it taught me to be service-minded.
Tell us about your job – what are your day-to-day activities?
Recently, I joined as a safety supervisor with M.AI Barghash Co, an engineering, procurement and construction company operating in large-scale water, oil and gas pipelines and other onshore works in Saudi Arabia. I’m involved in all health, safety and environment (HSE) activities, from developing safety programmes to verifying implementation at project level. This includes conducting planned and unplanned HSE inspections and audits, verifying emergency preparedness, delivering safety training, communicating HSE requirements to various departments, and managing environmental demands.
Previously, I worked with Global Tech Park in India, handling the HSE side of construction projects, including preparation and implementation policy, manuals and safety requirements. I also had the opportunity to develop, execute and monitor the entire HSE system.
Tell us about health and safety in India and now Saudi Arabia.
In India, around 80% of the population works in unorganised sectors and more than half of the people work in agriculture, so getting health and safety awareness to rural communities is challenging. However, we can expect good health and safety development in India as it has its own standards, codes and laws, an increasing literacy rate – currently 75% (2022) – and the highest youth population.
Saudi Arabia has the world’s third-largest migrant population (Migrants and Refugees, 2020) and some construction works there are temporary in nature. So, the big challenge for HSE professionals here is adapting to people with different backgrounds, cultures and languages. However, I feel that both Saudi and India are heading in the right direction.
Saravanan’s dos and don’ts
Achieving IOSH Chartered Membership
Do:
- Check the IOSH qualifications page and start with the right accredited qualifications.
- Check memoranda of understanding between IOSH and other organisations.
- Try to learn at least one new thing every day.
- Go through back issues of IOSH magazine and attend CPD events for updates.
Don't:
- Don’t look at shortcuts to get a qualification or a membership. The learning process is the thing that makes you a professional.
- Don’t underestimate CPD and initial professional development – understand their purpose and use them wisely.
For fellow Future Leaders:
Update yourself with developing trends and don’t miss learning opportunities from workplace experience. Develop your professional and personal network, using platforms such as IOSH Future Leaders. Learn new languages to communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds. Inspire others by guiding them in the right direction. Remember: when we are no longer able to change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves – learn to be the best, and make a positive impact on people around you!
When did you join IOSH’s Future Leaders Community?
I joined in March 2020 to connect with 7000 other Future Leaders and to sharpen my knowledge. IOSH membership provides great value for me with access to live webinars, the competency framework, IOSH magazine and the Career Hub.
You became the 10th-youngest Chartered Member of IOSH – why were you keen to achieve this so early?
When I started my career, I encountered many senior HSE professionals who were Chartered Members of IOSH and they seemed very competent. I felt becoming a Chartered Member would be helpful for me in terms of being a globally recognised health and safety professional.
What do you find most rewarding – and challenging – about the profession?
Job satisfaction is the greatest reward. Directly and indirectly, the HSE profession is the major reason why so many people can return home safely to their families each day. Probably the biggest challenge is that, as safety professionals, alongside technical knowledge we also need to understand psychology and legal requirements, and have communication skills.
How will you inspire other young HSE professionals?
I recently registered as an IOSH mentor, although even before that I advised and guided many people to achieve their membership grades. I’ve also suggested many young people in my circle should look into HSE as a profession. I have more than 7000 followers on LinkedIn, and I make sure I’m available to provide support.
Where do you see your current role taking you?
I hope to learn many new things in my new industry in Saudi Arabia. Wherever I go afterwards, my ambition is to take on large responsibilities where I can ensure the health and safety of the people around me, support my team and help the success of others. I live by the Indian Army motto: ‘Service before self.’
References:
ILO. (2020). Global Wage Report 2020–21: Wages and minimum wages in the time of COVID-19.(accessed 17 February 2022).
Migrants and Refugees. (2020) Country profile: Saudi Arabia. (accessed 22 February 2022).
