14 Sep “Spotlight” on Mick Gill
Mick Gill joined the MiCiM team at the start of 2021, as our dedicated Health, Safety and Environmental Manager based on our construction management project in Ireland. Mick has had to face the challenge of how to effectively manage a critical project safely throughout a pandemic. Mick established a COVID committee on site, to maintain compliance with strict directives to safety on site, this protocol has been closely monitored by HSA (Health & Safety Authority) in Ireland.
Mick’s straight talking attitude has helped garner his career in HSE so far;
Tell us a bit about your career and what you’re bringing to your new role:
I started out my career as a labourer. I realised I had more potential when I found [out that] I was the best at crosswords in the canteen. I decided to self-educate and started climbing the ladder, I knew my career in manual labour would be a short and hard one, so I undertook NEBOSH training and received my certification in 1998. Following this, I was offered a position in London, somewhere I had never visited before! My first thoughts were; “where are the pavements made of gold and people’s manners”!
You have had a long and a highly pressurised career – what would you say are the key strengths you bring to a team?
I like to think I am the managements team conscience. As they all have a different focuses throughout a projects lifecycle, my job is to remind them that not everything is about profit or programme.
What are the main challenges in the Mission Critical sector?
To be better today than we were yesterday and good work and reputations can disappear within seconds.
What kind of skills does one need to have to enable a career in the Mission Critical sector that spans for 30 years?
Remembering just because you are qualified, it does not mean you know everything!
Over the course of your career, what would you say was your most challenging project?
Urenco Depleted Uranium Blue Book Project, as I was working with Unions on a difficult project.
Is there any cutting edge technology which you are excited about, which will be at the forefront of the industry in the next few years?
Unfortunately, it’s the mechanised revolution that removes the individual from the onsite hazard and also from skilled jobs.
Are there any skill/formulae/tech you learned in your formative years you still utilise today?
If you don’t know say so!
As you are always heavily involved in the final push to complete a project, what are your coping mechanisms to deal with the pressurised environment you live in?
Everyone is usually in each other’s way, so it’s really important to continue to find that common ground and common purpose.
What is it that you enjoy about working with the MiCiM team?
The friendly nature and lack of egos.
After a busy working week, what do you do in your down time?
It used to be that my social life was a pressure valve, now I enjoy drumming in a band.
