Senior Health & Safety Advisor
In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment or education references covering 3 years. If you have gaps you will be required to provide character references. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment or education references covering 3 years.
Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
Job overview
As the Senior Group Health and Safety advisor- practitioner, you will be responsible for preventing/reducing accidents, injuries and health problems in the workplace and across the group. Your role will see you promote a continuous improvement culture aligned to ISO 14001 standards.With the ability to influence and drive change which promotes positive health and safety culture throughout the group ensuring all who attend Trust sites are adhering to current health and safety legislation by creating and implementing health and safety, audits, developing and presenting H&S training through various communication methods including tool box talks, ELearning / virtual learning and presenting face to face to multi-disciplinary groups, implementing suitable and sufficient policies and advising on safe working practices and assessments of risk this also includes the investigation of accidents and incidents as well as providing professional Health and Safety advise and support in a unique and variable role.
The work will focus on the delivery of H&S advice for Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, covering a variety of areas both clinical and non-clinical and all relevant workplace legislation applicable to the environment, developing and reviewing policies, participating and preparing assurance papers and stats for the group Health & Safety committee, delivering statutory training and H&S inspections, reporting and transparency with regulators and the executive through the governance framework to drive a safe working culture at all levels of the organisation.
Main duties of the job
As part of the SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality) Team our Senior Health and safety advisers are a valuable asset and ensure all who attend our sites are safe. This is driven by adopting a continuous improvement culture and working with key stakeholders from various roles across the group to communicate and embed those cultures, promoting shared learning and acting on feedback.They develop policies and procedures to make sure people aren't harmed by their jobs, investigate and report accidents, and provide guidance to multi-disciplinary stakeholders on how to comply with the law.
Typical duties include:- investigating accidents, health-related complaints and cases of ill health
- developing policies and procedures around health and safety, and ensuring that they are implemented
- maintaining records about in line with with ISO 14001
- presenting statistics, reports and updates to colleagues at various level within the group
- carrying out risk assessments and site inspections
- providing professional advice on health and safety related matters
- providing or organising training and communications on all key safety topics
- acts as a continuous improvement ambassador and is able to articulate lessons learnt to various groups which encourages health practices and a culture of reporting and speaking up
- identifying potential hazards
- determining ways of reducing risks
- liaising with external health and safety authorities and trade unions
- keeping up to date with health and safety legislation.
We have multiple work sites from time to time you will be required to travel to complete necessary works tis could include – investigate an accident or to carry out a risk assessment.
Working for our organisation
QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary company of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust (GHNT), based in the North East of England.
We provide a range of non- clinical services to GHNT and other NHS organisations. Our services include estates, facilities services, procurement, medical engineering and devices, endoscopy decontamination and sterile services, transport, out-patient pharmacy, and prevention & management of violence & aggression training (PMVA).
In addition, we provide consultancy services, advising clients on all aspects of establishing a subsidiary company within an NHS body to the provision of VAT compliance advice.
QE Facilities work to their own Terms and Conditions, and these are not the same as Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Terms and Conditions. This is not an Agenda for Change Pay Rate.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Creating topical Tool Box Talks.
Undertaking a program of Health and Safety audits.
Investigating health-related complaints and cases of ill health or Injury.
Report to relevant external authorities all accidents and incidents under RIDDOR.
Support the program of risk assessments and site inspections ensuring that equipment is installed correctly and is being used safely.
Identifying potential hazards.
Determining ways of reducing risks, accidents and incidents.
Compiling statistics and writing reports.
Running health and safety meetings and training courses
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience presenting to and training large multi-disciplinary staff groups.
- Experience in dealing with HSE and other governing bodies.
- Experience of influencing and negotiating with various stakeholders.
- Experience of working in a similar role within a healthcare environment & multi-site organisation.
Qualifications
Essential criteria- NEBOSH National Diploma ideally be working towards Graduate or Chartered status membership of IOSH (Grad IOSH/ CMIOSH)
- A relevant degree occupational safety and health
- Proficiency Certificate in P405 – Management of Asbestos in Buildings
- National Compliance and Risk Qualifications (NCRQ) level 6 Diploma in Applied Health and Safety.
- Diploma in Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Management
- A postgraduate diploma or Masters -MSc in Environment, Health and Safety
- ISO 9001 / ISO 45001 Qualification
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- An ability to work to tight deadlines
- Customer relationship management and effective relationship building
- Knowledge of the ISO standards and demonstrable experience of working in an environment which has or is in the process of implementing a management system is desirable.
Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke free organisation in line with Smoke Free Gateshead