Health and safety has offered a diverse and interesting role for Susannah
Women in Construction
In the next article in our series that looks at Women in Construction, we talk to Health and Safety Manager Susannah Brasted, who has found that the role offers diverse days working on site and in the office with the chance to meet a real mix of people.
Susannah initially worked in construction recruitment but found it frustrating, quickly moving into business development. However, she started looking at accreditations and the importance of health and safety and decided to complete the necessary qualifications so that she could make a successful shift in her career.
Today, she works as a Health and Safety Manager at untypical, ensuring workers' well-being by developing and implementing safety programmes, conducting risk assessments, performing site inspections, and providing training to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I love the site environment. Men tend to be very traditional and therefore overly respectful of women, so you do get treated very well and I like the humour and banter.
Equally, this job continues to give me the opportunity to build relationships with lots of different people, which I really enjoy.
What is a working day like for you?
The role involves site days and office days, so it is very diverse. Days on site go far quicker than those in the office – you often have a cup of tea with the site manager, catch up on what is going on, walk the site to carry out checks and observations, then write a report about the visit. There is always someone popping into the office, so you get to meet a real mix of people. I also get to be involved in project team meetings, and I feel like I am really a part of something.
In your opinion, why do you think women are underrepresented in construction?
Historically, girls have not been encouraged into this industry, which is a shame as there are great careers on offer. However, I feel that often girls at school don’t realise that these jobs exist and what they offer.
What would you say to anyone thinking about their career choices to encourage them to consider a career in construction?
Open up your options – have you considered operating plant machinery or skilled construction roles? Look at what jobs are available to you and think deeply about the type of working environment you would enjoy, and the money you could earn.
untypical is committed to achieving gender parity in housebuilding.
We hope that by regularly focusing on the strides women are making in housebuilding and focusing on the different roles that exist, we will hopefully encourage the next generation to pick up the mantle and realise that construction offers rewarding and successful careers for everyone.
We hope that by putting the spotlight on some of the amazing women who work in our business we will encourage others to follow their lead.