Jones Bros welcomes new health and safety officer1st Jul 2014

An award-winning chartered health and safety professional who combines decades of experience in engineering with a clutch of qualifications has joined Jones Bros.

Neil Smith, 43, who will be based at the company’s training centre, will have a wide range of responsibilities including site inspections, providing advice, developing new procedures and ensuring that systems provide full protection for both employees and the company.

Originally from Ruthin, Neil began his working life as an apprentice joiner on a former youth training scheme project, progressing on to farm construction work. He worked as an engineer and progressed to become a site manager for Pochin Contractors. Here, he learned about construction, site management and health and safety.

He later joined Mulcair Ltd, a civil engineering company, where he developed his passion for health and safety, as well as studying for a range of qualifications in health and safety, environmental management, construction, site management and delivering training.

In 2013 Neil was awarded a City & Guilds Paviors Company Medal of Excellence for his work in setting up an independent training company for a previous employer.

“I am really pleased to be joining Jones Bros at such an exciting time for the company,” said Neil, who lives with his family in Abergele.

“Growing up in Ruthin, where Jones Bros is based, I have seen how much the company has grown into a UK leader. I was particularly attracted by the diversity of sectors Jones Bros operates in, which will make it an extremely interesting place to work.

“Having worked my way up through the engineering and management ranks, I see health and safety issues from both angles, from the person working on the ground, to senior management.

“Also, I have the benefit of understanding the built environment, how things work and the effect this has on the people operating within that environment.

“My aim is to ensure the safest working environment possible without overburdening managers with unnecessary procedures.”

Huw Jones, managing director of Jones Bros, said: “We are delighted that Neil has joined us and are confident that he will be a huge asset to the department and Jones Bros.