A Day in the Life - Bayo Awosanya

What is your job, and where do you work?

I work for Shell Upstream in the health function. My current role is regional industrial hygienist.

What motivates you to get out of bed on a work day?

In particular, I’m motivated by my small team and the ambience they bring early in the morning: additionally, the way work is approached as a team, to provide support to the business - this gets me going every day and makes me look forward to work.  Also… my small Nespresso machine gives me a kick to get into work when I am off site.

What does a typical day entail for you?

I get to work pretty early to avoid the morning traffic in Portharcourt, and most importantly to get a space for parking. As the discipline lead to the industrial hygiene team, I am responsible for worker health protection. This is delivered by developing health risk assessments, and supporting the business in the implementation of the outcomes of these assessments through: exposure monitoring; advice; or workplace hazards management and controls.

What is your favourite, or most important, piece of work equipment?

A sound level meter. I can operate every SLM on the market.

What item would you be lost without at work?

My laptop, connectivity and email.  But I really hope to do more ‘’No email’’ days to further encourage a culture of ‘stand up, get a drink, make a photocopy and speak to people’.

What advice would you give a person thinking of working in the area of worker health protection?

I obtained an Advanced Diploma in Occupational Hygiene from Manchester University.  I later obtained my certificate qualification and the highest BOHS qualification, the Diploma – which means I am a Chartered Occupational Hygienist.

When did you last laugh in work? What made you laugh?

This morning. We have a culture of ‘Care’ to enhance human performance at work. This includes just telling someone something good, encouraging them and making them genuinely smile.

What is the best part of working in the field of worker health protection?

Coaching and developing junior hygienists. I have mentored junior hygienists over the past 10 years and it gives me joy seeing them become certified and excelling in their roles.

What do you see as the biggest challenges to worker health protection currently?

Occupational hygiene professional skill growth in Africa!!. This is an area I feel BOHS, IOHA and other world class association can offer help to further develop skills in Africa, and other less developed countries and regions of the world.