We are thrilled to welcome David Wilson to the PEMCO family! David has a strong background in Health and Safety management and training, with First Aid training as a particular specialism. He joins us as a Health and Safety Consultant.
We’d love all our clients to find out a bit more about David.
Why did you join PEMCO?
For the past few years, I’ve completed a lot of health and safety advisory work, but I’ve wanted to improve my knowledge and experience across the sector. PEMCO have an extremely well-qualified and professional team that encompasses all elements of health and safety and are looking to expand into other areas, which is really exciting. I’ve been made very welcome, and everyone is extremely positive.
What do you do at PEMCO?
I’m a qualified First Aid at Work and Outdoor First Aid Instructor. I’m able to instruct delegates in Emergency First Aid (1 Day course) and the First Aid at Work (3 Day course), as well as Paediatric and Outdoor first aid (2 Day course). Initially, I will be setting up these courses for our clients, but I hope to be working across all areas of the company.
What’s your background/credentials?
From a young age I had always wanted to join the Army, so at sixteen I left school and joined the Corps of Royal Engineers. I completed my training as a combat engineer learning various skills and I also gained my City and Guilds as a Bricklayer and Concreter. Within my 25 years in the military, I carried out operations around the world being involved in numerous projects, building bridges, providing safe drinking water and disposing of explosive ordnance to mention a few. The majority of the work done by the military is high risk, but the Army invests a lot of time and resources ensuring that its personnel are well trained in how to recognise the risks and mitigate them. After leaving the Army, I didn’t really know what to do, I ended up doing my level 4 award in Facility Management and was lucky enough to move straight into a job at a school in Harrogate. Whilst at the school I completed my NEBSOH General Certificate in Health and Safety Management and Fire Safety Management. For the last four years I was the Health and Safety Advisor at the school as well as their Educational Visits Coordinator and Duke of Edinburgh Award Manager.
What are the values that drive you?
Discipline, Courage, Loyalty, Integrity and Respect.
What is something that people in Health & Safety have to deal with that you want to fix?
One of the main aspects of Health and Safety that is always postponed or pushed to a low priority is training, as it takes employees away from their main work. If an employee learns something in a 30 minute training session that prevents them from being injured and away from work for 2 weeks or longer then the 30 minutes of training isn’t a waste of that employee’s or company’s time.
What are your top 3 books?
- The Feather Men – Sir Ranulph Fiennes
- The David Baldacci series of books
- I’m currently reading a series of J.B. Turner books
What are your top 3 TV Shows?
- Grand Designs
- Death in Paradise
- Kindig Customs
What are your top 3 Films?
- Where Eagles Dare
- Heat
- Any James Bond film
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I made a rudimentary gym in my garage during the pandemic which I’ve added to and use most days. I run a couple of times a week and road cycle when I can. My swimming has dropped off recently, but I hope to pick it up again soon in readiness for some triathlon events in the Spring and Summer. When time allows, I also like to get out walking in the Dales and further afield.
