william nixon

I transferred from Oriel training services to continue my apprenticeship as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer. My training meant I became very adaptable and capable of diagnosing faults and devising effective solutions, pump and gearbox refurbishment, process monitoring, coupling alignment, pipe fitting and capable of producing high standards of work on a variety of lathes and milling machines and some experience of welding

As part of the Y.T.S scheme, Oriel training services provided the first year of training before finding a placement with a company to complete my apprenticeship. This involved electrical work, welding, machining and general fitting.

I joined the NLB in 1998 to carry out installation, commissioning and maintenance of diesel generators and small plant controlled by PLC, aluminium structures and solar arrays. This also included the installation and commissioning of flood gas fire protection equipment as well as project work in reusable energy sources. All of these tasks required documentation and record keeping through spreadsheets, word documents and online communication.

Travelling throughout the UK, I was part of engineering team providing mechanical labour and other maintenance support associated with continuous process manufacturing and factory shutdowns. This included fabrication and installation of equipment and renewal of pipe work (particularly steam and thermal oil). This involved working to specific timescales to ensure down time was kept to a minimum.

In October of 2008 I was promoted to the position of Health and Safety Officer to oversee the shore side coastal estate during project and maintenance contract works along with assisting in maintaining our safety management system to HSE and MAIB requirements. Within the NLB, I sponsor, develop and maintain policies, procedures and arrangements ensuring they are workable, effectively documented and implemented. I also produce regular reports to the QHSE Manager on H&S matters, non-conformance issues, inspections, compliance issues and progress corrective actions against associated action plans. My duties include providing appropriate advice and guidance to staff at all levels within the organisation, induction training sessions to ensure all staff is aware of their H&S roles and responsibilities, staff presentations along with conducting regular PPE equipment reviews and recommending areas for improvement. As part of the professional development required for this position, I graduated from the University of Warwickshire with my Nebosh Diploma in 2013

Due to the down turn in the oil and gas sector and numerous rounds of redundancy, I took the opportunity to move the NHS as their Health and Safety Advisor covering multiple medical facilities in Fife. My immediate task is to work closely with the Estates Dept. to improve their health and safety documentation, performance and culture. I mentor two health and safety assistants in their development to advisor level and in return, learn a great deal about the medical hierarchy and terminology that exists today. As this is a new role for the NHS, the role profile is still under development and will update this profile with more accurate information when available.

Nebosh General Certificate in Construction Health and Safety

HNC in Mechanical Engineering Practices

Nebosh National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Activities and Societies: IOSH Member