HSE Community Insights - Nick Bass

What do you think the 3 biggest opportunities that the HSE profession are faced with in the constantly changing world of work?

“Legitimacy. Giving itself legitimacy as a profession. I think too good a job was done in some industries in driving HSE, particularly safety as a line led accountability, that the value of professional direction and insight has been lost. There is an opportunity through a growing professionally qualified HSE workforce to demonstrate the value in the profession.

Diversity. Growing recognition of the value of diversity, and in particular with relation to thinking. I have seen a growth in the number of organisations willing to step beyond the boundaries of their immediate industry when sourcing HSE professionals to challenge tradition and contribute to change.

Sustainability. Broadening horizons to become leaders in sustainability. Over the past 5 years, I seen this becoming more and more critical to organisations from a risk perspective”. There is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the improvement in the way business impacts people, the environment now and for future generations to come.”

What are the top 3 capabilities required in your view for success in the future?

1. “Influential. Being influential, being able to influence rationally and inspirationally. Having passion for what you do, especially for a function that delivers change.
2. Adaptability. It’s about constant learning and being open to new ways of doing things, this is critical. What works for one role may not work for another.
3. Understanding Business. Understanding the business context, its hard to develop the right solutions and have influence unless you understand the context of the business you are working in”.

Looking back over your career, if you could change one thing, what would that be?

“I’m very fortunate to have worked in a range of industries, ranging from a regional to international scope in the breadth in Occupational Safety Health and Industrial Hygiene. I am a naturally curious person, but to be honest, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve also managed to create a great work life balance for myself and my family and that has been really important”. 

“The approach in respect to diversity. Our CEO is recognised as being very active and influential in this space. The sustainability team that I am involved in, is leading the way in the business in having breadth of diversity on all fronts and that’s setting us up to do things a bit differently.