Overview
The Safety, Health & Environment team operates as a single, highly skilled unit, supporting ECA Members with clear, practical advice to help them manage health and safety responsibilities effectively. With strong sector knowledge and a proportionate approach, the team supports compliance, reduces risk and promotes safe working practices that work in real‑world business settings.
Through their combined expertise, the team helps Members understand legal duties and apply sensible health and safety measures day to day. Above all, they are focused on protecting people, supporting businesses and strengthening a positive safety culture across the sector.
The people behind the Safety, Health & Environment team
Tony Sidwell.png)
Head of Safety, Health & Environment
About: Tony leads the ECA SH&E Department, overseeing internal policies and procedures while supporting the organisation’s wider objectives.
Qualifications
- Chartered Fellow of IOSH (CFIOSH)
- Chartered Health & Safety Professional
- Practitioner member of IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment)
- Over 25 years’ experience in the Building Services industry
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Paul Williams
Safety, Health and Environment
Service Manager
About: Paul supports the ECA SH&E Department by helping Members solve SH&E related issues, delivering training courses, and developing practical resources for Members such as toolbox talks and guidance.
Qualifications
- Chartered member of IOSH (CMIOSH) with over 20 years’ membership
- Extensive experience across engineering, construction and housing sectors
- Former Head of Fire, Health & Safety at the British Museum
- Qualified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor
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You can also read further about the Safety, Health & Environment team's interests, experience, career advice, and more in their Q&A below:
Tony: I head up ECA’s Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Department and provide Members with practical solutions to their issues.
Paul: I support ECA Members with all things SHE, which could involve a call or visit to a site.
Tony: I have 30 years’ experience in the Building Services, offsite Manufacture and Construction industries, in the past working for a number of ECA Member companies.
Paul: I have worked in health and safety and pollution enforcement as well as providing in house advice and support and consultancy in the public, construction and social housing sectors. I have also worked in risk management insurance and business continuity so have a broad understanding of business risk.
Tony: Just over 2 years. Over this time my role has evolved with more focus on getting out to see Members either at their offices or on site. I believe that face to face contact is the best way of delivering health and safety messages; it is all about communication with the people who are managing, supervising and installing equipment and systems.
Paul: 8 years.
Tony: We are a very experienced team who can offer practical advice to Members. We deliver presentations to Members, compile a wide range of SHE documentation, conduct Site SHE Support visits and represent ECA at the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC), Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and other industry committees. ECA attendance on these committees is useful for Members due to the guidance that is generated. It also gives electrical contractors and the electrical industry a voice at the highest level of the construction and engineering industries.
Paul: Personal bespoke service to solve challenging SHE enquiries. Dealing with real issues and finding practical solutions. Keeping up to date on the latest changes and developments in the SHE sector to keep our members well informed.
Tony: A wide range of Health and Safety related issues, recently a big focus on Building Safety Act and Common Assessment Standard, which are both proving to be big issues for our Members. The majority of calls are Building Safety Act or Common Assessment Standard based, Members are generally finding it difficult to comply or answer question as required by the standard. ECA SHE and Technical Departments have compiled numerous guidance documents and carry out regular awareness presentations.
Paul: Personal bespoke service to solve challenging SHE enquiries. Dealing with real issues and finding practical solutions. Keeping up tp date on the latest changes and developments in the SHE sector to keep our members well informed.
Tony: Shy bairns get nowt!
Paul: You spend a third of your adult life at work so it’s important to enjoy and feel rewarded for that third of the time you have.
Tony: A wide ranging and practical knowledge of Health and Safety in the built environment, and an ability to communicate at all levels.
Paul: Providing effective and meaningful mental health training.
Tony: Play cricket and golf, listen to a wide range of music and spend time with my family.
Paul: I volunteer locally, go walking, running, play chess, I’m in a book club and part of my family and friends network.
