“Hi, I’m Sam, and as Radiation Protection Competence Lead at Babcock, I lead two teams. One is responsible for training radiation workers, ensuring they understand radiological hazards and how to work safely in those environments. The other focuses on developing our Health Physics professionals throughout their careers.
At Devonport, Health Physics supports the maintenance of Royal Navy submarines, helping ensure work can be carried out safely and efficiently so submarines can return to service. Health Physicists are involved from the very start of a task through to its completion. They help assess hazards, put controls in place, brief workers before they enter radiological areas and provide support during maintenance activities. Health Physics Monitors often work directly alongside engineering teams, providing real-time advice, monitoring radiation levels and checking for contamination.
Put simply, we’re there throughout the entire process to help keep people safe.
One of the achievements I’m most proud of was establishing Babcock’s first national Health Physics apprenticeship programme in 2017.
The programme was designed for Health Physics Monitors, the individuals who work directly alongside operational teams in radiological environments. Developed in partnership with organisations across the nuclear industry, it helped establish a recognised training pathway for the profession and continues to be delivered today.
Seeing people join the programme, grow in confidence and develop successful careers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. I genuinely enjoy helping people realise their potential, and there’s nothing better than watching someone progress from being unsure of their abilities to becoming a confident and capable professional.
One of the things I enjoy most about working at Devonport is the pace and variety of the environment. Unlike some other sites, we’re supporting active Royal Navy submarines undergoing maintenance and repair. Priorities can change quickly and the work is often highly dynamic, which means no two days are ever quite the same.
That variety creates fantastic opportunities for learning and development. It also means Health Physics plays a visible role in supporting an important national capability.
For me, Babcock stands out because of its commitment to developing people. At Devonport we have a dedicated Health Physics training team, which allows us to provide a level of structured development that is difficult to find elsewhere in the industry. There is genuine support from leaders to invest in training, career progression and long-term professional growth.
Alongside that, the flexibility Babcock offers has been hugely valuable. As a father of two young boys, being able to balance family responsibilities with a rewarding career makes a real difference. The flexibility around how and where we work allows me to support my family while continuing to deliver for the business.
Ultimately, what keeps me motivated is the people. I have the privilege of working alongside colleagues who care deeply about what they do and are committed to supporting one another. Even on challenging days, there is a shared sense of purpose and a willingness to find solutions together.
Sam”