Darragh O' Brien

Experience

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  Kildare County Council

  Jun 2008 - Sept 2009

  Environmental Officer

  At Kildare County Council I developed specific technical knowledge of industrial processes; including air/effluent/waste emissions, monitoring and management. I was also responsible for inputting data and conducting database interrogation of monitoring returns and reporting findings to management.

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  University College Dublin

  Apr 2010 - Apr 2011

  Project Coordinator

  At University College Dublin, I was involved in the management and support of an environmental research project based in several locations throughout Ireland. The research project focused on the impacts of pollutants on semi-natural systems, and involved the monitoring of soil and water chemistry. Responsibilities included coordinating and leading large-scale sampling programs (e.g., organisation of budgets, equipment, research assistants, field and laboratory protocols, databases, report writing). The project was completed on time and within budget and represented a deliverable output of the funded research study Biogeochemistry of Irish Forests ForFlux, funded by Irelandʼs Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (RSF_07_510). Show less

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  Environmental Protection Agency Ireland

  Jul 2011 - Jul 2012

  Environmental Inspector

  In this role I my primary function was to conduct site inspections and audits of IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) licensed facilities for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Based on these site visits, I was required to compile comprehensive reports for the facilities that included details of the visit and recommendations on how the organisation could best achieve compliance with their license conditions. Any breaches of license conditions were noted in the report, highlighted to the licensee on the day of the site visit and reported to senior management. Health and safety of staff were of primary concern to the EPA for all site visits and as such, completion of both pre-visit and site-specific health and safety risk assessments was mandatory for each licensed facility visited. In my role as an Inspector with the Office of Environmental Enforcement, other roles and responsibilities included:• Reviewing and responding to correspondence from license holders.• Assessing licensee monitoring reports.• Completing Geophysics Suitability assessments.• Attending meetings with licensees to discuss issues at the facilities.• Reviewing Annual Environmental Reports submitted to the Agency.• Attending Staff weekly/daily/quarterly/regional meetings.• Completing pre-visit risk assessments prior to visiting sites.• Completing Site Specific Risk Assessments for each licensed facility visited.• Handling complaints from members of the public regarding licensed facilities.• Attending court hearings involving the Agency and licensees.• Co-ordinating the collection of statistical information on closed sites and compiling quarterly reports based on these figures.• Organising and participating in video conferencing with staff members from other branches of the organisation. Show less

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  Environmental Site Services

  Nov 2013 - Oct 2016

  Environmental Scientist

  In this role I work as part of a team responsible for the design, construction, deployment and management of solar powered air, noise, vibration and weather remote telemetry stations. The monitoring stations and built and installed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards. Once operational, the equipment is monitored remotely on a daily basis. Maintenance, fault-finding and calibration of field based equipment is undertaken on a monthly basis or as required.Roles and Responsibilities:Preparation, Writing and Reviewing Documents• Preparing quotations• Composing Construction Dust, Noise and Vibration Management Plans.• QA/QC of other staff members reports • Writing a procedure for documenting environmental fieldwork• Writing company editorial (published in The Mining Review, Oct. 2014)• Reviewing and revising Construction Environmental Management Plans, Preliminary Site InvestigationsHazardous Materials Management• Asbestos Removal Project Management• Undertaking asbestos in soil remediation – Preliminary site investigation• Engaging and supervising hazardous material removal and abatement contractors• Compiling Hazardous Materials Registers and Asbestos Management Plans• Clearance Certificates subsequent to visual inspection and clearance air monitoring of asbestos removal projects validating designated areas for occupation• Undertaking hazardous materials surveys and audits on residential, commercial and industrial propertiesNoise Monitoring• Conducting detailed occupational noise • Environmental Noise Monitoring• Vehicle noise compliance assessmentsAir Monitoring• Occupational air contaminant assessments• CONTAM monitoring• Environmental dust monitoring (PM10, PM2.5, TSP)• Respirator Fit Testing• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessments• Mould and microbiological samplingWater Sampling• Potable water sampling in accordance with DoH Guidelines Show less

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  Rio Tinto

  Oct 2016 - Jun 2017

  Health Officer

  Roles and Responsibilities:- Water quality sampling and reporting quarterly results to the Dept. of Health (DoH):Exceedances: Internal incident raised, actions assigned, investigation conducted, incident report sent to DoH.- CONTAM sampling and reporting quarterly results to the Dept. of Mines and Petroleum (DMP):Providing feedback on sampling results, following up exceedances with recommended controls to reduce exposure and evaluating results of recommendation implementation.- Conducting noise, lighting and ventilation work area surveys, compiling and interpreting data, writing reports and addressing issues identified;- Management of the site Chemical Safety Management System (ChemAlert): Site-wide chemical audit, inspection of storage facilities and database maintenance.- Implementing Health Surveillance Program at Brockman 4 site:Workforce audiometric assessments, respiratory and hearing protection device fit testing.- Liaising with Occupational Physician regarding hearing shift investigations and implementation of Noise Control Health Monitoring Plans.- Statistical analysis of data for corporate reports and Annual Hygiene Summary;- Weekly presentation to update department members on progress of Health Team; and- Updating and presenting training packages to operational workgroups. Show less

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  Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA)

  Oct 2017 - now

  Senior Investigator

  • Senior Investigator

    May 2023 - now

  • Investigator

    Jan 2019 - May 2023

  • Regional Investigator

    Sept 2018 - Jan 2019

  • Environment Protection Officer

    Oct 2017 - Sept 2018