Nine Twenty Engineering & Manufacturing are glad to be supporting a new client, The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) with the recruitment of some exciting roles.
IOM was founded as a research charity in 1969 by the National Coal Board, primarily to complete ground-breaking research on lung disease in coal mine workers. However, as their scope has developed and ergonomic factors have advanced, they have established a mission to reduce health and safety risks within the industry. Now, IOM is a major independent centre of scientific excellence in the fields of occupational and environmental health, hygiene, and safety.
We caught up with Ross, the Head of the Workplace Protection Team, to hear a little more about the organisation, and what it is like to work there. Continue reading to hear from Ross:
Can you tell us a bit about your organisation and what you do?
At IOM, our core purpose is to improve people’s health and safety at work, at home and in the environment through excellent independent science to create a healthy and sustainable world.
To achieve this purpose, myself, and the rest of the Workplace Protection Team provide high quality consulting services to our clients that is tailored to their situation.
In healthcare premises, we test and audit ventilation systems and environmental conditions in operating theatres and other care areas to verify whether clients control systems are achieving standards and protecting patients from infection. When in industrial situations we use science and technical testing methods to quantify hazards in the workplace, assess the risk posed by them and assist clients to reduce the risks.
As a team, we are an integral part of IOM’s service to clients, helping them comply with laws and standards that protect their employees and patients, improving their quality of life.
You have had an exciting journey with the business, can you tell us more?
After leaving university with a degree in biotechnology, not knowing what I wanted to do, however, certain I didn’t want to do anything with biotechnology! I was tempting in various warehouse jobs when a friend working for IOM suggested I tried applying.
I got a trainee role as an Asbestos Surveyor, and 23 years later, here I am still here! IOM have helped me upskill, allowing me to progress my career, now into management. Whilst at IOM I have been given some fantastic opportunities- from oil rigs, nuclear power stations, lighthouses, and even travelling to parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia- you cannot get bored with such an interesting job! Overall, the passion to make a difference to peoples lives and a genuine feeling that you are making a difference really helps me to feel I get something out of working for IOM.
What about the future plans?
My main focus is to grow our Workplace Protection Team and keep it key to IOM’s success by having a fulfilled and high performing team because they are being their best selves. Further on in my career I would like to specialise in Respiratory Protection Equipment, which has had more of a spotlight on it since respiratory protection has been so forefront in our minds in the 2020’s.
Which brings us on to your openings within engineering. What are the roles and what type of people are you looking for?
We are currently looking for a Workplace Protection Engineer to join our busy team. This is home-based with regular travel throughout the South and Midlands of England and some travel further North. You will be delivering consultancy excellence for our clients as well as providing professional and technical support internally and externally. Your initial period of work will involve being mentored by an experienced Technical Engineer and shadowing other members of the team. During this time, you will undertake hands-on training in the technical aspects of our on-site testing protocols and how to report the results. Below are more of the duties you could expect as a Technical Engineer at IOM:
- Conducting site-based work, with 50% to 90% of time every week on site and the rest of the time working from home.
- Validation and verification of critical ventilation systems, such as operating theatres, mortuaries, endoscopy, and pharmacies.
- Taking airflow, particle, pressure and noise measurements and sampling for microbiological surface and air concentrations using a range of testing equipment.
- Working at client’s healthcare sites to audit their care areas as well as inspections of mechanical ventilation plant in plant rooms.
- Comparison and interpretation of the results against recognised Health Technical Memorandum and other standards.
- Preparing, writing, and reviewing technical reports based on our report templates.
- Coordinating work with our clients’ on-site facilities engineers and other site staff.
- Following SOP’s and Quality Standards (UKAS knowledge and experience would be an advantage).
- Costing work and providing technical expertise to support the preparation of bids & tenders.
- Scheduling your work and ensuring on-time service delivery (delivering reports within SLA’s).
- Maintaining key accounts and building relationships with clients.
We need somebody who has a bit of life experience, who can be resourceful while working on their own on client’s sites, while being able to collaborate with other members of the team physically together on projects and connect with the rest of the team and partner teams within the organisation remotely.
They must have a growth mindset, be ready to learn and be happy to be away from home for planned site work.
What are the opportunities like in the business for successful candidates?
As you progress there are opportunities to gain experience and training in other aspects of our work in the team, such as:
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- Occupational Hygiene
- PPE and RPE testing
- Delivering training
- Authorised Engineering
- Expert Witness
- H&S consultancy
We have Laboratory and Research teams who we collaborate with on projects and there are opportunities to get involved with their work too.
Tell us an interesting fact about the business?
IOM has invented things. Our scientists have developed measurement techniques for sampling asbestos fibres and dust particles that are used worldwide today, including the patented IOM Sampler.
Our experts have also helped government bodies shape the guidance and standards that many workplaces are held to for controlling exposure to substances.
If you are interested in working with IOM we would love to hear from you! Browse some of the current opportunities below or get in touch with Amybeth directly here: alittlejohn@weareninetwenty.com or give her a call: 07442871715
Latest Vacancies:
Workplace Protection Engineer (Glasgow)
