IOSH
Tariro Nyamundaya
Tackling health inequalities through OSH
Tariro Nyamundaya is passionate about reducing health inequalities. While working towards her undergraduate degree in Health Studies at De Montfort University Leicester, she researched the effects of the workplace on a person’s overall health.
“I found a poor work life was often linked with a poor home life and health,” said the 23-year-old.
Tariro decided that a career in occupational safety and health (OSH) was the way to bring about change. She applied for an MSc in Heath, Safety and Environment Management at the University of Birmingham and joined IOSH as a Student Member – a combination that has helped her land a coveted OSH job with the National Health Service (NHS).
She said: “The workplace is sometimes overlooked when it comes to health inequalities and I wanted to change this and try a different route, as opposed to just working for a public health department or organisation.
“It’s important that I play a part in reducing factors that can contribute to this poor health.”
Completing her MSc during the Covid-19 pandemic was “challenging to say the least”. Although she finished lectures the week before UK lockdown, Tariro had to make big changes and was unable to carry out dissertation research in her home country of Zimbabwe.
Fortunately, she benefited from the support of her supervisor, course leader and family in Birmingham, and graduated with a Merit in December via a virtual ceremony.
Having initially joined IOSH because she “knew what it meant across the industry”, Tariro was a regular visitor to the IOSH Career Hub to gain job inspiration.
“I also made use of the resources, such as the practical tests, to help with applications for graduate schemes. These helped me reach the next stage,” she said.
Tariro chose to progress to from Student Member to Certified status (CertIOSH) to show her commitment to OSH.
“Employers look for this certification and hold it in high regard,” she said. “Plus, IOSH Magazine helped keep me up to date with industry news, which I was able to bring up at interview and I believe this made me stand out.”
She could not have been happier to land a role as a Health and Safety Officer in a Governance/Risk Management department with the NHS in April.
“Getting this job is probably the greatest feeling I have had in a long time,” said Tariro.
Working alongside her manager to collect relevant data, Tariro’s role also includes risk assessments, training, policy reviews, and walkabouts to check people are complying with Covid-19 guidance. She relishes being able to focus on so many different aspects of OSH.
Tariro now plans to build her CPD and progress to IOSH Chartered status. “It’s a good way of monitoring and tracking my professional development,” she added. “Career-wise, I want to gain as much experience as possible, as I am still learning what interests me the most.”