Frances Dixon joined O’Keefe just after International Women’s Day 2022. We sat down with Frances to reflect on her experiences within the construction industry and in relation to the “Embrace Equity” theme of International Women’s Day 2023.

I recently visited our site at Kitchener Barracks where O’Keefe are starting on the final phase of residential development utilising volumetric modules manufactured by Top Hat. This concrete wall is poignant – it is the dividing line between cutting edge 21st Century housing provision and 18th Century military accommodation, known as Kitchener Barracks. So, I pondered on what was each side of the wall.

The energy crisis is affecting us all – directly and indirectly. In construction we are reliant on heavy oil or red diesel that has a much reduced tax levy, but all of that is about to change in April with the scrapping of the use of red diesel or rebated fuel as it is correctly known. There will be some exceptions but construction operations is not one of them. Our Operations Director, Derek Gilburt posed some questions to our Plant Fleet Manager, Ronnie Cusack to get a feel for the impact on our business.

How does this fit in with my new career in the construction industry? Moving into an organised, structured and well-disciplined company has made my transition easier than first thought.

One of the things I find having a strong NEBOSH background does, is it prepares you very well for dealing with unfamiliar situations. Basically, you can draw on a wealth of information to help you problem-solve.

People still think of demolition as being a dangerous industry. In fact, it’s not dangerous, although it is high-risk.