The document profiles Daniello Aspeling and his career in health and safety. It details his experience working in South Africa on high-risk projects like bridge bungee jumping. It then outlines his various roles and qualifications gained over his career in health and safety for companies in the UK and Sierra Leone, including working as a trainer and currently as a director of his own consultancy firm. Aspeling emphasizes the importance of health and safety professionals adapting to changing industries and providing practical advice.

1. 51www.shponline.co.uk CAREERS
CAREERS
How did you get into health and safety?
I started my career in health and safety
working for a load testing and crane services
company in George, South Africa. I was
coached by one of the most knowledgeable
people in the field and had the opportunity
to work on the Bloukrans Bungy Bridge, the
highest commercial bridge bungy in the world.
What was it about health and safety that
appealed to you?
The value HSQE brings to businesses is what
appealed to me the most. I had an early
understanding of risk management and
appreciated my moral obligation to keep the
workforce healthy and safe while running
a profitable business. I was fascinated by
the detailed planning involved in high-risk
activities and the measures taken to keep the
workforce safe.
You have gained a diverse range of
qualifications, including nutrition and health.
Can you tell us more about those?
I have always been a great believer in
continually bettering myself and expanding
my knowledge. In particular, I hold a NEBOSH
diploma and a RSPH diploma in nutrition
and health. Health is often overlooked and
the combination of the two
qualifications allows me to
address the full spectrum of
health and safety.
You have worked for TfL
and on the Tubelines
Station Modernisation and
Enhancement Project. What
did those projects involve,
and what were the most
challenging aspects with regards to safety?
The projects involved a wide range of activities,
from track renewals and maintenance,
signal upgrades, and enabling works to
build new signal equipment rooms. The
station modernisation and enhancement
project involved the upgrade of station public
address, CCTVs, platform to train cameras,
and installation of lifts. The most challenging
aspects with regards to safety was sharing
TfL’s vision and values to the supply chain and
maintaining high standards on all projects.
You have also gained experience as a trainer.
Can you tell us about that?
From 2007 to 2012, I managed my own
training consultancy, providing training to
a wide range of industries. Training courses
ranged from health, safety and environment,
fire safety, first aid, and food safety, to
nutrition and health courses.
In 2013, you worked in Sierra Leone. What
differences did you notice in the way health
and safety was practised there?
While in Sierra Leone, it quickly became
apparent how far we have developed the HSQE
profession in the UK. The perception of risk was
completely different. A lot of time was spent
on coaching and mentoring the workforce to
ensure correct practices were followed and
people were not exposed to unnecessary risks.
It really is rewarding once you see how the
coaching and mentoring supported by best
practices are positively influencing
the workforce.
You recently started a new role.
What does it involve?
In May 2014, I partnered with
Rimeh Jebari CMIOSH to establish
AvantGarde Total Solutions, an HSQE
consultancy. We mainly focus on
bringing efficiencies by embedding
HSQE in organisations’ overall
strategies and creating business opportunities
through bespoke management systems.
What advice would you give to a young
person just beginning their career in health
and safety?
Be curious, innovative and open minded.
Health and safety is changing and so is
the way businesses are run. Therefore, it is
imperative that health and safety professionals
can adapt and remain current so that they can
provide practical advice.
If you could change one thing about the
industry, what would it be?
I would like to change the negative
stereotypes associated with health and safety.
Organisations and individuals should embrace
health and safety as it brings significant
rewards and benefits morally, legally and
financially.
Thinking about changing job?
See how other health and safety professionals have done it, then turn
the page for all the latest health and safety vacancies. If you would like to
feature on this page, contact the SHP team at shpeditor@ubm.com
“It is imperative
that health
and safety
professionals
can adapt and
remain current
so that they can
provide practical
advice”
HOW DID I GET HERE?
Daniello Aspeling
CV Daniello Aspeling
2014 - Director (AvantGarde
present Total Solutions Ltd)
2013-2014 Health, safety and environment
manager (Transport for London)
2012-2013 Project health, safety and
environment manager (NG Bailey)
2007-2012 Health, safety and environment
advisor (Aspeling Consultancy for
Morson International)
2007-2012 Occupational health and safety
trainer/consultant (PIP Professional
Training & Services)