A Chat with Natalie: Casa’s Laboratory Manager
To continue with our Women in Construction series, Kat chatted with Laboratory Manager Natalie about her career & experience in the industry.
Natalie is responsible for the running of our UKAS Accredited Laboratory in our Head Office in Bristol, as well as overseeing the running of our UKAS Accredited Laboratory in Hampshire.
With 10 years in the industry and now as Laboratory Manager, Natalie is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the laboratory, as well as ensuring Quality Control measures are accounted for, updating guidance when necessary and analysing samples for asbestos content.
K: How long have you been in the industry & how did you get into it?
N: I joined Casa in 2015 in an administration role and had already conducted a year in the industry prior to that with another company. I then moved into the Laboratory in 2018, where I trained and gained my P401 Qualification and progressed to becoming manager in 2021.
When I joined the industry, I really didn’t know anything about asbestos, except for the asbestos roof sheets. But with working in administration and typing the asbestos reports, you learn a lot. I found it fascinating reading about the results and different material contained within the reports, so when the opportunity came up to work in the laboratory, I jumped on it!
K: Our Bristol Laboratory is predominantly female run; do you think this is rare for our industry?
N: Definitely, I don’t think this is something many other companies can say. It’s more common to see men occupying these roles. I’m definitely very proud to be part of a nearly all female team of analysts.
I think these days, it is easier for women to enter into the industry, I even notice the difference between now and when I first joined the laboratory in 2018. There was a very limited choice for steel toe caps for women (vs the 100s that men have!) and construction clothing, like work trousers, just weren’t made for us. Thankfully now, we have come along way and there’s a lot more choice, making roles like this more accessible to women.
K: Did you have any hesitations undertaking this role?
N: I think it’s easy to be put off going into an industry like this, and that there’s a perception that perhaps it is largely male dominated, but our laboratory is proof that this isn’t the case and it’s a really great industry to be in as a female.
K: Having worked both in administration and now managing our Head Laboratory, what is your favourite part of your role?
N: It’s challenging, which I enjoy. You have to learn to prioritise and problem solve. Throughout the day, you are constantly making sure you can juggle anything urgent alongside your usual workload. No two days are the same, you can’t predict what you’ll come into work to find.
There is a really strong sense of teamwork in the laboratory, we all have a part to play and everyone in the team is incredibly skilled and dedicated.
I want to thank Natalie for taking the time to have a chat with me about her time in the industry and her role. We’re proud at Casa to have two UKAS Accredited Laboratories, and to have an incredible team overseeing the work.
Are you interested in a career in the Asbestos Industry? We’d be delighted to have a chat with you about any opportunities we have coming up, please get in touch.
