Guyana’s Troydel Williamson carries his passion for workplace safety across the seas

May 03, 2026 News

Occupational health and safety month feature

By Staff Writer

(Kaieteur News) – When Guyana’s Troydel Williamson recalls his first days in the Guyana Fire Service back in October 2014, he remembers the weight of responsibility that came with the uniform. “It wasn’t just about fighting fires,” he reflects. “It was about protecting lives, preventing tragedies, and building trust in the community.”

That sense of duty became the foundation of a career that would take him from Georgetown to Belfast, from local fire stations to international oil and gas projects, and from a young recruit to a respected voice in global health and safety.

Guyana’s Troydel Williamson carries his passion for workplace safety across the seas

Guyanese OSH advocate Troydel Williamson

GLOBAL STANDARDS

After serving in operations and the Fire Prevention Office, Williamson’s path led him to Schlumberger through Strategic Recruitment. There, he worked under the Facilities Department while completing the NEBOSH the globally recognised National Certificate courses will help candidates to develop the knowledge and essential skills necessary to implement health and safety best practices, his first formal step into the world of occupational safety.

His next chapter unfolded at Guyana Shore Base Inc., where he served as a Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (QHSSE )Advisor. “That was where I really deepened my knowledge of international safety standards,” he says. “I was given opportunities to investigate incidents and prepare documentation, which sharpened my skills.”

The combined experiences at the Fire Service, Morgan Investment, and Guyana Shore Base opened doors abroad. Williamson was recruited by the JJ Denholm Group in the United Kingdom, where he worked as an EHS Advisor on the SeaRose FPSO project at Belfast’s historic Harland and Wolff shipyard, the birthplace of the Titanic. Leading investigations and documentation efforts, he gained not only technical expertise but also leadership experience.

Williamson at the Harland and Wolff Dry Docks in Belfast in the UK.

RECOGNITION IN THE UK

When that contract closed, Williamson transitioned into JJ Denholm’s Logistics Department. As the only Guyanese professional on the HSQE team, he quickly earned recognition and was promoted to SHEQ Officer. His responsibilities spanned Belfast Harbor, Hamilton Shipping, and Williams Reid, with site visits in the Republic of Ireland and Cork.

His commitment and capability led Scruttons to sponsor him for the NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health. He went on to complete ISO 14001, 45001, and 9001 certifications with the British Standards Institute, achieving Lead Auditor status in ISO 14001. Along the way, he attended seminars, met with the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland, and gained firsthand experience with ship-to-shore and RTG cranes.

A LIFESTYLE, NOT A JOB

Today, he is a proud member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI). His journey has not been without challenges. “I remember people telling me I would never make it,” he recalls. “But safety is more than risk assessments or procedures. It’s a lifestyle. It’s our responsibility as leaders to ensure employees return to their families’ safe, while providing a safe place and system of work.”

For him, being Guyanese is central to his story. “I carry my roots with me everywhere I go,” he says. “I’m proud of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained, but even prouder of the commitment I’ve made to my profession. Safety is about people, and that’s something I’ll never forget.”

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Guyana Fire Service, OH&S, QHSSE, Troydel Williamson, workplace safety

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