Jen Maddison

"As a Health and Safety Advisor it is my role to advise and assist.As I am an Influencer and Coordinator I use my personality qualities to communicate ideas and to organise solutions to problems. I am good at explaining and working with people to reach the right outcome.My third personality type is Manager. This means that I am motivated and adaptable with good organisation skills – which is really useful as my role is very busy!"

"As an HSEQ Specialist I provide advice and assistance to the business on issues relating to Health, Safety, Environment and Quality. My role at the Port includes working on quayside with the team which loads and discharges ships, working with the engineering team in charge of large infrastructure projects and also checking on any contractors working on site.I need to be good at communicating information at all levels; to senior management through to operatives and from customers to contractors.I feel that I make a difference because I help to keep people safe and improve the way we work. Knowing that gives me a lot of satisfaction.In addition to my day to day role at Port of Tyne I am currently Chair of Port Skills and Safety Group. This is a national working group for health and safety covering ports right around the UK. My role involves working with the Port Skills and Safety team and chairing the three group meetings per year.I am also Treasurer for the Tyne and Wear branch of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health). The monthly branch meetings have expert speakers on various topics."

"When I was choosing a career ‘health and safety’ wasn’t ever offered as an option. I studied Structural Engineering and Architecture at university as I was good at maths and science and wanted to build things (deep down I wanted to be a digger driver really!).After I graduated, I worked as an assistant engineer but didn’t enjoy being stuck in a drawing office.I tried some other roles before I took a job as an Health and Safety Assistant with a demolition contractor and my employer paid for me to complete the NEBOSH General Certificate. I found the role engaging and rewarding so I put myself through the NEBOSH Diploma, studying by distance learning.I was so proud when I completed the Diploma, as it was hard work studying and working full-time!I worked as the Health, Safety and Environment Manager for a medium-sized building contractor and then as a Management Systems Auditor before moving to the Port of Tyne.I was really excited about the role, as the move to the Maritime sector gave me the opportunity to apply my skills in a larger organisation as well as gaining new experiences and knowledge.Whilst at the Port I worked to become a Chartered Member of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health). This involved submitting a portfolio of evidence and passing a peer interview."

"I love being outdoors and my favourite pastime is open water swimming. There is something very special about slipping into the water and allowing it to wash away your worries and cares.I also love running, cycling and walking. I am a qualified scuba diver so most holidays involve spending a lot of time underwater looking at fish.I volunteer with Girlguiding; as Queen’s Guide coordinator for the county and as Division Commissioner, supporting Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Unit Leaders in my local area."

"No two days are the same and that’s why I love my job! It is varied and I get to talk to lots of different people.I usually spend time in the morning dealing with emails and planning actions. I try to speak to colleagues by phone rather than sending too many emails, so I will also use this time to make calls and set up meetings.I split my time between the main offices and the quayside, where my desk has a great view of the river and the ships! I prefer to be out and about though, so I like to have my safety boots on and be out on site as much as possible.When I am out, I usually find some issues which either need to be logged on our reporting system or dealt with immediately.I make sure I don’t spend lunchtime at my desk (it’s a very easy trap to fall into when you have lots of emails to trawl through!). I think it is important to get some fresh air and a change of scenery, so I usually go to town to complete some errands or go for a run with one of my colleagues.In the afternoon I might need to attend a meeting to discuss H&S performance or to plan a new initiative.I block time out in my diary for planning and paperwork to make sure I meet deadlines and don’t fall behind. I find having my time allocated like this keeps me focussed and prevents other people assuming I am available and putting meetings in my diary."

"A Levels: Maths, Physics, Art and General StudiesDegree: Meng Structural Engineering and Architecture, University of SheffieldWork related qualifications:NEBOSH National General CertificateNEBOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH)Associate Member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (AIEMA)"