In this episode of the Women in Safety podcast, Alanna Ball sits down with Gemma Balme, a health and safety manager who started in recruitment and found her calling years after her father was injured at work. She talks about stepping into construction safety, learning the rhythm of site life, and why honesty about what you do not know builds trust fast.
They unpack gender dynamics in a male-heavy field, the hesitation women feel when a job ad lists ten boxes to tick, and how mentorship and community support change the game for career development. Gemma shares how she stays on top of legislation by knowing where to look, not by carrying it all in her head, and why adaptability matters more than perfection on any project.
Work-life balance shows up here too. Gemma protects time for family and interests, then celebrates small wins so momentum sticks. Her take is simple, tackle complex safety problems bit by bit, ask questions, and keep learning.
Listen, then tell us one small win you will celebrate this week in health and safety. Add it in the comments so the community can back you.
Connect with Gemma on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmalee3658
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