Name: Samantha R
Role: Occupational Health and Safety Co-ordinator 
Location: Institute for Horticultural Development Knoxfield

ABOUT MY CAREER 

What is Occupational Health and Safety?
»An understanding and awareness of possible hazards in the work place and preventing them before they occur. 

What does a typical day in your job involve?
»I do a bit of everything! 
»Preventing workplace disease and accidents is my primary focus 
»I am also responsible for rehabilitation and return to work programs 
»I work closely with staff to help them identify what hazards they might encounter at work 
»I conduct accident investigations when someone is hurt to make sure that no one else gets injured 
»I organise occupational health and safety committee meetings to give people the chance to raise health or safety issues that concern them 
»My main goal is to ensure that every member of staff gets to go home at the end of the day in one piece 
»Workplace injuries don't just affect one person - think of their families, workmates and friends too! 
»At the moment I'm focusing on the general health and well being of the people who work at the Institute, so I have started a men's health program to be followed soon by a women's health program.

What do you enjoy most about your job? 
»I enjoy talking and working with people 

Why did you choose this career?
»In Year 11 I was a dismal failure at physics and chemistry even though I found these subjects very interesting. 
»So after Year 12 I entered the workforce and wound up working in the trade union movement where occupational health and safety was very important. 
»As I learnt more about Occupational Health and Safety I realised that it was a combination of people and science which was perfect for me. 
»While completing my further study in Occupational Health & Safety I discovered that I have a love for toxicology - the science of poisons. I can see now how this relates to every day life especially when working in agriculture which uses many dangerous chemicals. 

What would you like to do in the future?
»I really enjoy working at a local level with a small group of staff (250 people) where I can develop health and safety systems and see them through to their completion. 
»I have always enjoyed being involved in planning exercises and in the future would like to use the skills I have learnt in this job to get involved in doing some business planning. 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF 

Where did you grow up?
»I grew up in the Latrobe Valley where there is a lot of industry 

How did this influence your choice of career?
»It wasn't until people in my father's generation started to develop diseases from exposure to harmful chemicals such as asbestos, which was used for lagging pipe-work around power stations, that I started to think about workplace safety. 
»When I left school and was looking for work the trade unions were looking for someone to teach others about Occupational Health and Safety. I applied, got the job and my career took off. 

MY EDUCATION AND TRAINING 

Were courses in secondary school planned for this sort of work? 
»No - but more people need to know about Occupational Health and Safety as everyone has a legal right to a safe and healthy workplace. Too many young people are afraid to stand up and ask questions about health and safety aspects of their job. 

Which University or TAFE course have you completed?
»Diploma of Applied Science (Occupational Health and Safety) 
»Diploma of Front Line Management 
»Certificate Four in Rural Business Management
»Workplace Trainer / Assessor

Have you completed any work experience? 
»No 

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES 

Do you plan to do further study?
»Maybe finishing a degree as well as learning lots about workplace hazards 

Is there a lot of learning on the job? 
»Absolutely!
»It's a great job that is constantly changing and requires you to continuously be searching for news ways to help people work more safely.

Do you travel much in your job? 
»I can travel as much as I like within the state 
»I love to exchange thoughts and ideas with other Occupational Health and Safety people in the department and other industries. I have built up a network of people to help me find answers to issues my staff raise. 
»I have had the opportunity to conduct audits and accident investigations in some of the most beautiful, remote and interesting places in the state 
»I have been very fortunate and taken advantage of lots of offers to help out in many different places 

What are graduates from you course doing now? 
»Most of the people who studied with me have stayed in the field 
»Some work for Worksafe, others are consultants and many are working as Occupational Health and Safety Coordinators just like me! 

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW 

Primary students 
»Enjoy learning new stuff and never stop asking questions! 

Secondary students 
»Occupational Health and Safety is part of our daily work and is important in all careers 

Tertiary students
»Occupational Health and Safety is an area where you can do some good work. It helps if you like working closely with all sorts of people too! 

Other advice 
»I fell into Occupational Health & Safety after trying other career options 
»I dabbled with public relations, operations management and policy writing because I like to communicate. In the end I keep on coming back to Occupational Health & Safety because it can make a difference in other peoples lives!