Ryan Sutherland

Background

About Ryan Sutherland

Wow, what an adventure! Looking back over the past 20 years of my HSE career, I feel fortunate to have worked with so many amazing people and orgs in such an exciting and rewarding field. I was selected to assist in the development of an Env Eng Program at a uni in China and wrote several HSE papers. This experience broadened my appreciation of human interaction with our enviro and the risks and opportunities that exist. I joined MEC and as part of the HAZMAT team, I responded emergencies from train derailments to drug lab decon. I monitored our discharges for compliance and worked in the lab and on the floor determining best process options. I fostered safety improvements in minimising exposure to chemicals. DCS provided an opportunity to diversify and I worked on many fascinating projects undertaking all flavours of EAs. Risk management and protection of human health and the env were emerging as the common threads mending my interests, skills and experiences. I moved to NZ and joined URS. The torrent of ERAs provided me with opportunities to practice and refine my skills technically and in project management. I applied my skills and knowledge in occ hygiene as this began to emerge in NZ and led our teams in managing our risks. The CHC EQ was a tragic event that took lives and changed people forever. When asked to be part of the recovery efforts I didn’t hesitate. It was a challenge to maintain focus on construction risk management when so many lives had been impacted. I became involved in many demo projects providing guidance in risk management through the demo process. I continued providing operational HSE support and leadership to the organisation and continuing to deliver projects for our clients in all things HSE. The Kaikōura earthquake struck and I joined the team and jumped into it – kia kaha! My focus areas were earthworks, blasting, abseiling, helicopter operations. The work was extremely challenging but I feel really fortunate to have been part of this amazing effort. Some days were filled with relocating seal pups, electric fishing, abseiling and flying in and out of helis! I returned to consultancy with GHD continuing where I had left off providing operational support and external delivery. I jumped at the opportunity in Waka Kotahi to join the CRT as it was a good fit with my experiences. Having worked in construction and consulting over the past 20 years, the idea of working for a client org is compelling as I believe I can truly help influence HSE culture an continue to do my part to protect health and the env. He waka eke noa!