Face To Face

THIS MONTH: Micky Braines Environmental, Health & Safety Manager, Emplas

Micky Braines discusses his time serving with the Royal Engineers and his current role as Environmental, Health & Safety Manager, at leading trade fabricator, Emplas.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born and live currently?

I was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire in 1975 and I currently live in the neighbouring town of Wellingborough, just a short drive from Emplas.

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled?

After senior school I studied computers and electronics at Tresham College in Wellingborough, before joining the army at 20. I joined the Royal Engineers, based at Tidworth, Perham Down in Wiltshire.

In the Army I continued to study through the Military School of Engineering, eventually qualifying as a Telecommunications Engineer and serving as a Combat Signaller. My main interest at school was Physical Education, I really enjoyed running, cross-country especially sprinting, and that obviously served me well during my time in the Army!

Your favourite sports or interests?

I’m a big football fan, I support QPR, and I love athletics. I used to run Most nights of the week with the Rockingham Triangle running club in Corby but ended up playing football more through the coming years.

Something or someone that inspires you?

My dad is a huge inspiration, he taught me the value of having a strong work ethic. I would say the other major inspiration in my life has been the military. I was a bit lost before I joined the army, I didn’t really know what I wanted in life, but the army gave me a clear focus of what I wanted to achieve. It changed my life, and without it I wouldn’t have what I have today.

The temptation you can’t resist.

Apart from chocolate? My work life is very busy, but if someone asks me for help then I find it very hard to say no, even if it means stopping what I’m doing.

YOUR CAREER...

When and how did you join this industry?

When I left the army in 2000, I wasn’t sure at first what I wanted to do, but all the guys in my local football team worked for a competitor fabricator to Emplas and they managed to get me a job there – that was 21 years ago, and I’ve been in the industry ever since.

When I first started, I was doing regular work on the machines on the factory floor, but I progressed to team leader, then supervisor roles, before joining Emplas in 2016 as a quality control supervisor. At the time, it was a difficult period for me personally, so I ended up leaving Emplas, but re-joined just under three years ago and I haven’t looked back.

What is your job?

I’m the Environmental and Health & Safety Manager for Emplas after recently being promoted from my current position as Recruitment & Training Co-Ordinator. It’s the first time anyone has had a dedicated sustainability role within Emplas and while we do a lot already to minimise waste, recycle and source sustainable energy, there’s more we can and will do.

On top of that I’m also responsible for making sure that everyone at Emplas is operating safely. That involves reviewing accidents & Incidents, completing risk assessments for areas on site and on the factory floor, creating safe working practices and then developing and implementing the correct training in order to achieve that.

As well as continually looking at how we can operate as sustainably and safely as possible as an organisation, I’m also developing my own skills and I’m currently training for a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Your biggest regret in life?

I would say my biggest regret is not putting more effort in at school. Athletics & football were the only things that I was really interested in, the only activity that focussed my attention. The army helped to put that right, and while I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved in life, I believe I could have got to this point much sooner if I’d applied myself properly at a younger age.

Your greatest achievement?

Without a shadow of a doubt, my greatest achievement is my kids. My family is everything to me and my wife drives me on and supports me every day.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What would you like to do if you weren’t in this industry?

It’s hard to think of what another career would be like, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in the industry, but if I did have another opportunity then it would probably be in telecommunications but I definitely have a passion for Health & Safety. I gained a lot of experience of telecommunications during my time in the army and it was something that I really enjoyed.

A particular ambition?

I’d like to travel more. I’ve seen a lot of the world, but I don’t get to travel much since having kids, so I’d like to see a few more places. My main ambition though is to provide for my family and to give them the best possible quality of life.

The way you want to be remembered.

I’d like to be remembered as someone who has always got time for other people, who is hard working, honest and trustworthy. Ultimately, I just want to do my bit, at work, for my family and enjoy a decent life.