David O. Austin
Port Harcourt,Nigeria
Summary
Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Professional with extensive experience in environmental compliance, occupational health and safety, and sustainable environmental management within the oil & gas, construction, engineering, and industrial sectors. Proven expertise in implementing Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS), conducting environmental and HSE risk assessments, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving continual improvement in accordance with ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 standards. Experienced in environmental monitoring, including air quality, noise, water quality, waste management, pollution prevention, spill response, biodiversity protection, and environmental impact mitigation, while promoting safe work practices and operational excellence.
Skilled in developing and implementing Environmental Management Plans (EMP), conducting environmental and HSE inspections, incident investigations, compliance audits, contractor management, Permit to Work (PTW) systems, emergency preparedness, and workforce training. Adept at preparing environmental compliance reports, analysing HSE performance data, engaging stakeholders, and promoting a strong culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainability. Recognised for delivering practical solutions that minimise environmental impacts, reduce operational risks, ensure legal compliance, and support organisational sustainability objectives while protecting people, assets, and the environment.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of post-secondary education
20
20
years of professional experience
Work history
Environmental Coordinator
Gas Arabian Services
, Saudi Arabia
2026.02 - Current
- Established environmental management system and built compliance plans and procedures.
- Identified environmental aspects and assessed impacts to support ongoing compliance reviews.
- Monitored environmental objectives and targets to drive environmental management programme delivery.
- Implemented and maintained project environmental management plan per EIA guidance.
- Monitored adherence to environmental policy and objectives through audits and inspections.
- Issued permits only after safe-operations checks and compliance verification.
- Advised on non-compliances and set remedial actions via audits and inspections.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER
Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd
Bonny Island, Nigeria
2023.06 - 2025.12
- Conducted comprehensive environmental and operational risk assessments, identifying significant environmental aspects and implementing effective mitigation measures that reduced environmental hazards by 15% and strengthened HSE performance across workforce of 1,000+ personnel.
- Conducted weekly HSE and environmental compliance audits, achieving 90% conformity with internal audit protocols, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems, and client environmental requirements while fostering proactive safety culture.
- Coordinated 50+ joint field inspections with Permit Holders, supervisors, and contractors to verify compliance with environmental management plans (EMP), PTW requirements, and safe work practices, ensuring adherence before and during project execution.
- Optimized Permit to Work (PTW) approval and close-out process for high-risk activities, achieving 98% compliance rate with company procedures, environmental requirements, and applicable regulatory standards while ensuring work was executed safely and responsibly.
- Monitored environmental compliance activities such as waste segregation, hazardous waste management, and emissions monitoring, ensuring adherence to environmental legislation, client specifications, and project Environmental Management Plans (EMP).
- Coordinated environmental awareness campaigns, toolbox talks, and HSE training sessions for employees and contractors, improving environmental stewardship, strengthening regulatory compliance, and fostering culture of sustainability, pollution prevention, and incident-free operations.
Offshore Safety Advisor
Courdeau Catering Nigeria Limited
Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria
2022.03 - 2023.06
- Reduced operational incidents by 15% while meeting HSE procedures and regulations.
- Conducted HSE inspections across offshore operations to identify unsafe conditions and ensure compliance.
- Assessed environmental risks and implemented corrective actions to facilitate CAPA closure.
HSE Officer
Saipem Contracting Nig. Ltd
Delta State, Nigeria
2018.03 - 2020.04
- Coordinated implementation and monitoring of Project HSE Plan, achieving 95% compliance with ISO 45001 and client HSE requirements through regular inspections and compliance audits, enabling timely corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Supported HSE Management Team in implementing project-specific HSE Management System, ensuring compliance with client requirements and regulatory obligations while maintaining zero-fatality record and contributing to 20% reduction in workplace incidents through proactive risk management.
- Reviewed and updated 15+ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), and HSE manuals for high-risk activities, aligning with ISO 45001 and industry best practices.
- Planned and facilitated 30+ HSE training sessions, toolbox talks, and emergency response drills covering fire safety, confined space entry, working at height, lifting operations, and spill response, improving workforce competency, strengthening emergency preparedness.
HSE Officer
Saipem Contracting Nig. Ltd
Port Harcourt
2016.08 - 2016.12
- Reviewed and approved contractors’ method statements and JHAs, ensuring safe and efficient construction operations with zero incidents.
- Implemented project-specific health and safety plan, achieving 90% compliance through monitoring, inspections, corrective measures.
- Oversaw HSE compliance training for contractors, ensuring timely completion of training and certification for 50+ personnel.
- Tracked environmental goals, including waste segregation for chemical coatings, reducing hazardous waste errors by 15%.
Offshore HSE Officer
Courdeau Catering Nigeria Limited
, Nigeria
2014.01 - 2014.12
- Monitored permit to work system, maintaining 95% compliance with HSE standards.
- Performed safety risk assessment checks and supervised job safety analysis preparation.
- Inspected subcontractor activities and equipment, addressing non-compliance to improve site safety.
- Prepared and tracked HSE KPIs, improving safety practices and goal alignment.
Environmental Engineer/HSE
HOMAN Engineering Limited
Abia State, Nigeria
2006.03 - 2012.10
- Develop and implement project HSE management plan with 85% compliance monitoring.
- Conduct routine site inspections, performance monitoring, and compliance audits daily.
- Schedule timely corrective actions and track closure against client requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Environmental Engineering
University of Port Harcourt
Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria 2008.01 - 2015.01
Skills
- Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Management
- Environmental Regulatory Compliance
- HSE Compliance Monitoring & Reporting
- ISO 14001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Compliance
- Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
- Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Implementation
- Environmental Risk Assessment
- Site Environmental & HSE Inspections
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Noise & Sound Level Monitoring
- Waste Management & Pollution Prevention
- Spill Prevention & Environmental Protection
- Environmental Awareness & Sustainability Programs
- Corrective & Preventive Actions (CAPA)
- Health & Safety Regulatory Compliance
- Permit to Work (PTW) Systems
- Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Environmental Compliance Auditing
- Environmental Performance Monitoring
- Continuous Improvement & Sustainability Initiatives
Certification
- Waste Management and Circular Economy Course -Unitar.
- Diploma in Environment Health and Safety Management-Uniathena
- Environmental sustainable development goals (SDG) Indications-UN
- Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training by Alison
- First Aid Training Certificate by Saipem/Daewoo
- NEBOSH International Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – 00250618.
- Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET) - Tolman Allied Services.
- Institute of Safety Professional of Nigeria (ISPON).
- General Health Safety and Environment- ISPON.
- Health, Safety and Environment Level 3- ISPON.
- Occupational Safety and Health Certification - OSHACADEMY.
- Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Management ISO 45001 - Alison Academy.
- Environmental Management System (EMS), ISO 14001 - Alison Academy.
- Diploma in Environmental Management Systems (EMS) - Alison Academy.
- OHTA 201 Basic Principles in Occupational Hygiene - 10842.
- OHTA 507 Health Effects of Hazardous Substances.
- AIHN Effective Chemical Control Banding: Strategies for Managing Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace.
- ISO 9001:2015 (QMS) Quality Management System Foundations.
- IOSH-Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
- OHTA 505- Control of Hazardous Substances.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Environmental Coordinator
Gas Arabian Services
2026.02 - Current
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICER
Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd
2023.06 - 2025.12
Offshore Safety Advisor
Courdeau Catering Nigeria Limited
2022.03 - 2023.06
HSE Officer
Saipem Contracting Nig. Ltd
2018.03 - 2020.04
HSE Officer
Saipem Contracting Nig. Ltd
2016.08 - 2016.12
Offshore HSE Officer
Courdeau Catering Nigeria Limited
2014.01 - 2014.12
Bachelor of Engineering - Environmental Engineering
University of Port Harcourt
2008.01 - 2015.01
Environmental Engineer/HSE
HOMAN Engineering Limited
2006.03 - 2012.10