ALEX GUNN
Corfe Mullen,Dorset
Summary
Proactive Health and Safety Manager with 28 years of experience in multi-site manufacturing and distribution. Expertise in aligning safety, hygiene, and environmental standards with fresh production methods across high-volume operations. Committed to fostering a culture of safety while ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work history
Health and Safety Manager
Lush Cosmetics
Poole, Dorset
2020 - 2026.07
- Promoted to lead corporate health, safety, and environmental strategies strictly across all cosmetics manufacturing facilities (16 at peak), compounding rooms, distribution centres, controlling budgets and managing a small safety team.
- Managed incident and claim processes through root-cause analysis, statutory RIDDOR reporting, and corporate insurance claim defence
- Incident Investigation: Experienced in end-to-end incident management, from root-cause investigation and statutory RIDDOR reporting to corporate insurance claim defence.
- Controlled health and safety policy by annually updating, drafting new sections, and disseminating across the business
- Auditing all sites on a monthly basis checking internal and external safety compliance including fire safety, electrical, machinery and environment
- Building legal compliance control and organising external contractors for Fire Risk assessment, Asbestos surveys, Legionella risk assessment, Racking inspections, PAT testing
- DSEAR experience in risk assessments across production, ATEX zoning and explosion protection controls in areas handling bulk flammable liquids, essential oils, and alcohol-based ingredients.
- Authored, updated, and implemented comprehensive Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) for machinery operations, raw material handling, and distribution packaging lines
- Logistics & Traffic Management: Overhauled warehouse traffic management plans across distribution centres, isolating pedestrian routes from mechanical handling equipment (MHE) to eliminate vehicle-pedestrian risks.
Health and Safety Advisor
Lush Cosmetics
2014 - 2020
- Developed and updated risk assessments, COSHH assessments, SSOW and safe operating procedures to ensure compliance and safety standards.
- Coordinated First Aid, Fire Marshall, Racking inspections and COSHH training to enhance safety awareness and preparedness.
- Managed the internal accident reporting system by conducting initial interviews, securing evidence, and compiling statutory paperwork for reportable over-7-day injuries.
- Conducted monthly floor audits of production rooms, addressing identified hazards promptly to maintain a safe working environment.
- Transitioned into full-time safety management, overseeing compliance across compounding, pressing, packaging, and distribution departments.
Forklift instructor and H&S Traffic Management
Lush Cosmetics
2011 - 2014
- ITTSAR qualified in-house Forklift Instructor, trained staff on pivot steer and counterbalance forklift trucks, including refresher and familiarisation training to enhance operational safety. Assessed and improved traffic routes to segregate vehicles and pedestrians at multiple sites. Implemented a new check book system for all vehicles including the fleet of Lorries.
Finished Products stock control and Forklift Instructor
Lush Cosmetics
2008.01 - 2011.01
- Managed stock movements on stock management system, ensuring accuracy of invoicing and live stock levels. Performed regular spot checks and led full monthly stock audits. Conducted forklift training for counterbalance and pivot steer trucks as an ITSSAR qualified instructor.
Manufacturing Operations & Production Roles
Lush Cosmetics
1998.01 - 2011.01
- Advanced through roles in packing, shaping, decorating, compounding, and product making, gaining in-depth knowledge of Lush ingredients and recipes. Handled picking, packing, and shipping of finished products globally. Led teams as Team leader, Shift leader, stock controller, and production department manager, overseeing departmental operations.
Education
NEBOSH National Diploma - Occupational Health and Safety Units A,B and C
NEBOSH General Certificate - Health and Safety
IOSH Managing Safely - undefined
IOSH Leading Safely - undefined
Legionella control for responsible person - undefined
COSHH management course - undefined
Boiler House Risk Assessment course - undefined
BSI ISO auditing course - undefined
DSE assessment course - undefined
Skills
- Risk Assessments
- Hazard identification
- Accident investigation
- Workplace inspection
- Fire safety management
- Noise assessment
- PPE compliance
- COSHH trained
- RIDDOR regulations insight
- Hazardous materials management
- Occupational health knowledge
- Legislation awareness
- HSE software proficiency
- Pregnancy risk assessment
Affiliations
- Most sports, particularly
Timeline
Finished Products stock control and Forklift Instructor
Lush Cosmetics
2008.01 - 2011.01
Manufacturing Operations & Production Roles
Lush Cosmetics
1998.01 - 2011.01
DSE assessment course - undefined
BSI ISO auditing course - undefined
Boiler House Risk Assessment course - undefined
COSHH management course - undefined
Legionella control for responsible person - undefined
IOSH Leading Safely - undefined
IOSH Managing Safely - undefined
NEBOSH General Certificate - Health and Safety
Health and Safety Manager
Lush Cosmetics
2020 - 2026.07
Health and Safety Advisor
Lush Cosmetics
2014 - 2020
Forklift instructor and H&S Traffic Management
Lush Cosmetics
2011 - 2014