Meet Mathew Murray, Mackoy’s resident SHEQ Advisor

Health, safety and sustainability are just three of the things we take seriously at Mackoy. So when our SHEQ Manager David Bacon wanted to expand his team we were all for it.

As a result, we welcomed Mathew Murray aboard as Mackoy SHEQ Advisor in March. And with our client list and our contracts expanding week on week, it’s fair to say Mathew’s hands have been full ever since. But (thankfully) he wouldn’t have it any other way. (That’s the Mackoy spirit Mathew).

We stole him away for a brief chat, to find out more about what makes our latest SHEQ recruit tick and what attracted him to working at Mackoy groundworks & civil engineering.

Name: Mathew Murray

Job Title: SHEQ Adviser

Date joined Mackoy: March 2018

Lives: Petersfield

Describe yourself in 5 words: Disciplined, Driven, Habitual, Honest, Decisive

What’s a typical day like for you at Mackoy?

In a word BUSY! We are an expanding business, taking on new work all the time, and our department has an active role in every stage of a process from the tender for work to the completed project. My role is to fulfil our responsibilities to our workforce and clients with regards to Health and Safety and keeping everyone on our sites safe in their work. With 17 live sites all over the south of England it is a very challenging but enjoyable role. The best part of my job is getting to know all Mackoy employees on the sites and believe me we have some great characters out there.

What attracted you to the role?

I think, if you were to ask anyone working in the Health and Safety industry who they want to work for, the most popular answer would be, a boss who has a strong belief in fostering a good Health and Safety culture. Post interview with my immediate boss David Bacon it was clear that Mackoy were serious about its responsibilities in this department and had the full backing of our owner Mike Mayock.

Are there any new SHEQ innovations in the pipeline you can tell us about?

As a department we issue a regular SHEQ Focus newsletter. This concentrates on subjects pertinent to the construction industry and us as a business too. Recent newsletters have talked about “Use of an Air Pick” when digging around services and our new initiative regarding a “Lanyard System” for dumper keys controlled by the site foreman.

How about in the SHEQ industry as a whole? Any insights you can share?

Like most industries, Health and Safety is an ever-evolving beast. As new technology appears so do control measures for the hazards associated with it. For us a company it is important that we keep up with current legislation and we have a duty to our personnel to keep them informed. A very important issue for us at the moment is raising awareness of Silica dust, which is being called the new asbestos. A Toolbox talk has been written about this very subject and will be issued to all sites within the next few weeks.

What do you like to do when you’re not at work?

I am a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Petersfield Rugby Club and this takes up most of my spare time. Outside of this I like to maintain my own fitness by using the gym every morning and also enjoy cycling with my girlfriend.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learned so far in life?

Be patient.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

SHEQ Manager for Mackoy.

What makes you happy?

Spending time with my two boys Hayden and Harrison and my girlfriend Christine.

What’s the first thing you check on your phone in the morning?

The time. I still can’t believe I wake at 04:30 in the morning to go to the gym.

If you could have any celebrity best friend who would it be and why?

Ranulph Fiennes. He is someone who I respect very much. He has achieved so much in his life and being an ex-serviceman we would have lots in common. I could listen to his life stories all day.

What have you got coming up at Mackoy in the next few weeks?

We are busy with new sites coming online all the time. Our 3 newest sites are all based in the Bracknell area and need a lot of attention, as we are the Principle Contractor. This will mean spending at least 1 day a week there as well as regular inspections at all our other sites.

Thanks Mathew! Sounds like we better let you get back to it …

If, like Mathew, you have a commitment to best practice in the construction industry, and experience in groundworks and civil engineering, you could be a great asset to our Mackoy team. We’re frequently on the hunt for new groundworkers to join our 300-strong workforce in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire. So check our careers page for the latest updates.

Categories: Health and Safety