Jones Bros employee helping bring new look to health and safety profession30th Mar 2023

Sian Deane hasn’t looked back since swapping hairdressing for health and safety – and the Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK employee is urging other young women to consider the industry as a promising career path.

The health and safety advisor, who previously worked in a salon for five years, is an advocate of female workers pursuing roles in male-dominated sectors to help overcome outdated perceptions.

Sian, whose role involves safeguarding best practices onsite, spends her time between the firm’s headquarters in Ruthin and out on site at multi-million-pound projects, including the Penrhyn Bay coastal defence scheme in Conwy and Scotland’s Benbrack Wind Farm.

Keen to celebrate the ever-evolving nature of her occupation and encourage the next generation, Sian explained the changes she has seen across her time in the world of civil engineering.

She said: “When I took a place on my first health and safety training course four years ago, the people in the room were predominantly men coming from site-based roles who were interested in spending more time in the office.

“But it’s safe to say the profession is drastically changing as we’re seeing more young people and female employees coming through the doors.

“It’s refreshing to work with our teams across the UK and continuously investigate how to enhance our procedures, which in turn sets high standards for the health and safety profession.”

Recently completing her level six NEBOSH diploma in occupational safety and health, Sian explained why it’s important to see a greater representation of women in the sector.

She added: “Health and safety is constantly evolving, and with that, there should be a diverse set of people working in the role, too.

“I’ve loved switching from a female-dominated job to a career on construction sites, as it means I’m part of the effort to break down barriers and represent women where they’re not expected to be seen.

“Recently, a young woman joined the health and safety team in an entry level position. It’s been great to watch her start her career at the company, and to see more women progress in these roles.”

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.

The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.

The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 40 per cent of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years.