Day in the Life of a Health & Safety Advisor

Day in the Life: Jack Caldwell

Health & Safety Advisor

What are your key tasks?

My role starts right at project start-up. A big part of my job is managing all pre-construction safety documentation, such as Construction Stage Health & Safety Plans, Traffic Management Plans, and other safety-related documentation required before work begins.

I also meet with clients early on to understand any specific safety requirements they have. A lot of the work happens in the background — making sure everything is in place so that once a project starts on site, it runs smoothly and safely.

Day to day, I’m heavily involved on site. That includes face-to-face engagement with crews, site walks, toolbox talks, inductions, and rolling out new safety initiatives. More than anything, it’s about working with the lads, not talking at them.

One thing I’m really focused on is listening. I get better engagement by asking, “What do you think?” rather than telling people what I think. Safety works best when it’s a two-way conversation.

How did you get into health & safety?

I studied Environmental Health & Safety in college. Initially, I thought I’d go down the food safety route, but I always enjoyed being on sites and in construction environments.

Before moving fully into health & safety, I had hands-on site experience, which really helps. Being comfortable in that environment makes a big difference when you’re engaging with crews who’ve been doing this work for decades.

What do you enjoy most about the role?

I genuinely enjoy being on site, especially on projects where Powercomm has a strong presence. That’s where you can really make a difference.

I don’t love the term “safety officer” — I prefer advisor — because a big part of the role is respecting experience. Some of the lads on site have far more practical knowledge than I ever will, and it’s important to acknowledge that. For me, it’s about collaboration, not authority.

What are the biggest challenges?

Time pressure is always there; everyone wants the job done, and my role is to make sure it’s done safely. 

Any advice for someone considering this career?

Try to integrate safety into the work, not bolt it on as an afterthought. It should feel like part of the process, not something imposed from the outside.

If you can, get site experience. Even now, I’ll go to site just to observe tasks and learn. You don’t always have to step in — sometimes standing back and watching is where the real learning happens.

What do you do outside of work?

I’m heavily into motorbikes and racing, which might not sound very “health & safety” — but it actually complements the role really well. You’re constantly assessing risk: Is the risk worth it? Is there a safer way to do this?

That mindset carries into work, and the prep and discipline from racing carry over, too. The two worlds balance each other.