A mature student has blown judges away at an inaugural international competition for student members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Justin Ozioma Amanze, a master’s student from University of South Wales, has won the first-ever Student Competition which looked for technical knowledge and broader communication skills in the face of a health and safety problem.
Master’s student, Justin Ozioma Amanze
The 31-year-old left his native Nigeria to study for an MSc in Safety, Health and Environmental Management, in Cardiff, and claimed a certificate and £500 for this win.
He said: “I dedicate this win to everyone who works hard to achieve the highest standards in occupational safety and health.
“I look forward to continuing our collective efforts to create a safer and healthier workplace environment worldwide.”
Trevor Price, course leader of the MSc in Safety, Health and Environmental Management at the University of South Wales, said: “We are delighted that Justin has been honoured as the first winner of the IOSH Student Member Competition, and was able to use the knowledge gained while studying at the University to guide his entry.
“Justin is an inspiration to his peers, and will hopefully encourage more students to follow in his footsteps and study for a career in the sector.”
Set by the global body for health and safety professionals, competition entrants were set a written exercise to respond to a work-based problem.
The scenario focused on a construction company wanting to explore the possibility of introducing wearable technology capable of monitoring biometric data of workers, including heart rate, body temperature and fatigue levels.
Three runners up also each received a certificate and £150 as a prize.
They were 27-year-old Amelia Anggarawati Putri who is studying a Master’s in Health, Safety, and Environment Management at the University of Birmingham, Zahra Hajighorbanidoulabi, who is 33 and studying at Middlesex University for a Master’s in Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management and 24-year-old Chloe Penn from Lowestoft, currently doing a Safety, Health, and Environment Technician Apprenticeship with RHG Consult.
IOSH President Stuart Hughes said: “This was an incredible opportunity for students to showcase their skills and tackle a real-world occupational safety and health challenge.
“We live in a world of rapidly accelerating technology, new ways of working and changing priorities. Our challenge tested students’ technical knowledge but also, most importantly, their workplace communication skills.”
IOSH Student Membership allows access to career support and advice, working with an IOSH mentor, access to research materials and technical information, networking opportunities the chance to apply for the IOSH Student Member Bursary and help with training and studying
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