Advocating change on INWED: Promoting safety within our communities

We spoke to project manager Carrie Eller, health and safety manager Syeda Batool, and civil engineer Alaa Mohammed Ali, to find out how they’re addressing safety concerns in infrastructure, services, and beyond.

How do you help make health and safety a visible priority in your field of work?

Carrie: Health and safety can be a sensitive topic, but we all have the same goal to arrive home safely. I currently work on a construction site in Pakistan where we are rehabilitating part of an irrigation network, which supplies over two million farmers. My role involves working with the contractor to improve site safety, deliver training, log interventions to help improve practices and keep safety part of day-to-day discussions.

Alaa: Health and safety should always be the top priority. I’ve helped deliver good safety performance through various stages of projects, by carrying out effective risk assessments, conducting safety walks and encouraging safety reporting.

Syeda: Through open communication, promoting reporting of hazards or near-miss incidents, and recognizing and rewarding safe behaviours; educating employees about potential hazards, safe work practices, and emergency procedures through training sessions, encouraging employees to actively participate in safety programmes, feedback, and suggestions. I also ensure employees have access to the tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE) required to perform their tasks safely.

How can we work collaboratively to empower and protect communities at risk from climate change impacts and ensure their safety and wellbeing?

Carrie: We’re facing a climate emergency and nature loss crisis and need communities to be involved in the process to find solutions. It’s important to work with local communities and landowners to improve river catchments and reduce flood risk. Community flood groups do great work to advocate for their communities and contribute important knowledge to flood risk programmes.

Syeda: There are many strategies that can be implemented. We foster meaningful engagement with communities at risk by involving them in decision-making processes and address social and economic inequalities by ensuring equitable access to resources, services, and opportunities. Conducting educational campaigns and awareness programmes to inform communities about the potential risks and impacts of climate change helps raise awareness. Another way is facilitating capacity building by offering training programmes and capacity-building initiatives to enhance community resilience and adaptive capabilities. It can be vital to collaborate with stakeholders to implement early warning systems for climate-related risks. It’s also important to invest in sustainable, resilient infrastructure and assist communities to diversify their livelihoods to reduce dependence on climate-sensitive sectors.

Alaa: As engineers, we have the tools to help mitigate climate change impacts and safeguard future generations. I take every opportunity to work together with clients and stakeholders to help achieve net zero targets and build climate-resilient infrastructure.

How does incorporating diverse perspectives benefit projects that aim to deliver a safer environment for communities?

Alaa: Diverse backgrounds and greater representation allow collaborative thinking that results in better solutions to the complex challenges we face. Diversity ensures that as many problems as possible are highlighted to deliver a safer environment for our communities.

Syeda: It enables me to develop culturally sensitive strategies and interventions that resonate with and effectively address the concerns of various community members.

Carrie: Community consultation processes are improving and making sure views from all parts of the community are heard. In Pakistan, we recently did a focus group consultation for women living in the area ahead of construction works. It was useful to get their input as they shared information about nearby areas children play in. There are growing discussions about how to better assess the costs and benefits of engineering schemes. By bringing diverse perspectives into these discussions, we can better assess their social impacts and choose which schemes to prioritise.

How has the increased representation of women in engineering impacted your own career journey?

Alaa: When I decided to study civil engineering, I didn’t know many women engineers. It’s great to see more and more women playing vital roles in projects, but also leading the industry. As a working mother, professionally qualified with the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK, I hope to inspire other women to gain qualifications and make their voices heard, especially in my country, Bahrain.

Syeda: As a Pakistani woman in a male-dominated society, I’ve overcome numerous challenges and challenged stereotypes. I proudly became the first female engineer in the 92-year history of one of Pakistan's oldest organisations, despite misconceptions about my abilities and being comparatively petite.

Carrie: While at university, I came across role models in organisations such as Engineers without Borders. They were beneficial in showing there was a place for women in engineering and international development. There’s still a way to go – countries and areas of the industry are at different stages. I'm the only woman on my current site, but there are an increasing number of women on other parts of the project. We're currently developing a Gender Action Plan to increase representation and participation of women and we plan to hold outreach sessions in local girls’ schools.

What advice would you give to women aspiring to pursue a career that promotes safety within our communities?

Alaa: Engineering is a great arena for delivering change and helping solve society’s problems. It’s important to lead by example and never compromise on health and safety. As women engineers, we’re able to make infrastructure safer and more inclusive for our communities through the work that we do and make a positive impact on society.

Syeda: Identify the specific area within safety promotion that resonates with you the most. Acquire the necessary education and qualifications for your chosen field. As you succeed and gain recognition, advocate for change within your organization and society. Share your success stories and contribute to initiatives that promote gender equality and diversity in engineering.

Carrie: My advice would be to do it! The primary purpose of developing infrastructure is to improve people's quality of life and safety. For example, expanding a public transport network can improve air quality, improve social mobility and reduce the number of road traffic accidents. It’s fulfilling to be a part of a team working towards these goals.

How can you #MakeSafetySeen in your field of work? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to share your thoughts.