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Stuart Morris CMIOSH, Health and safety manager, Lancashire County Council

25th September 2019

I took my first parachute jump on my 16th birthday in March 1982. My father had opened his skydiving business in 1973, having done it as a hobby for years, so I’d been around the sport since the age of six. I’d always wanted to try it and was clamouring to do my first jump – especially after seeing my older brother do it.

Safety

Alex Guild, CMIOSH, Process safety team lead, Chevron

5th September 2019

I’ve been interested in flying since I was a boy. At the end of my second year at university I joined its air squadron and clocked up 45 hours’ flying over two years. However, you don’t get a licence at the end. I was offered an RAF commission as an engineer – my degree was in electrical engineering – but not a flying commission, so I took a job with Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).

Off duty

Rosie Butler Tech IOSH, Health and safety adviser, East of England Co-op

18th July 2019

I started rock climbing about five years ago with my brother, who is a year older than me. It was his birthday and he had asked for a climbing experience as a gift (we don’t do traditional presents). So, we went along to our local indoor centre and enjoyed an evening of top-rope climbing.

Slips and trips

Off duty

Nick Cornwell-Smith CFIOSH, head of health, safety and wellbeing, G4S Policing Services/Lincolnshire Police

17th June 2019

I first went caving in 1972 while at school and enjoyed it from the start. It’s partly that you know you’re going somewhere not many people have been before, but it’s also the camaraderie.

Off duty

Jessica Grove, Student member, HS administrator, Peregrine Live Foods

8th May 2019

I've been riding horses all my life. As soon as I was born, I was on the yard! I can’t remember my first time on a horse, but you can start riding as soon as you can sit up. My mum was a dressage rider so that’s what I naturally fell into doing. I don’t think I’m brave enough for show jumping.

Off duty

Malcolm Patrick Tech IOSH, director, Lincoln Safety Advice and Training

9th April 2019

I used to swim competitively as a teenager, but when I was about 18 or 19 I dropped out and didn’t swim at all for the next 15 years. I was in the armed forces and there wasn’t a pool near my posting.

Jonathan-White-Tech-IOSH-diretor-J-W-Facilities-and-diver

Emergency planning

Off duty

Jonathan White Tech IOSH, director, J W Facilities

13th March 2019

I was very young when I started diving. I’d seen every Jacques Cousteau movie and at the age of 16 took myself off with my tent to Salcombe in Devon for two weeks to learn how to dive.

Drew Cook Tech IOSH, freelance health and safety consultant and mountaineer

Work at height

Off duty

Drew Cook, Tech IOSH, freelance health and safety consultant

14th February 2019

In 1991, when I moved to Sheffield, South Yorkshire, I didn’t have a job. While looking for work, I met a couple of guys who introduced to me some climbers. I decided to give climbing a go and absolutely loved it. I got into various outdoor pursuits in the Peak District – caving, orienteering, mountain biking and running – and after a while someone suggested teaching. So, I went to Sheffield University and did a two-year outdoor education management course, by the end of which I had qualifications in kayaking and mountaineering, among other things.

adam-faunt-cmiosh-community-first-responder-volunteer

First aid

Off duty

Adam Faunt CMIOSH, human resources, health and safety manager, WE Rawson

23rd January 2019

In 1994, I joined the police as a special constable. I served 19 years and rose through the ranks, but I found it became very political, and I disagreed with some of the things happening due to austerity. Five years ago, I left and started volunteering as a community first responder, working in partnership with Yorkshire Ambulance Service. As well as being non-political, the service work fits in much better with my family because you’re based in the community: when I’m on call I can be waiting at home, watching the TV, until a job comes in. There is a lot more flexibility.

Personal protective equipment

Off duty

Ben Warrender, grad IOSH, health and safety co-ordinator, GTH Construction

11th December 2018

When I was a boy we would go on family holidays to the Lake District, doing walks and climbing small mountains, and my love of hiking grew from there. After learning to drive, I went walking with friends. We completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Help for Heroes: you climb the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, all within 24 hours – including driving between the three.