Health and Safety Advisor

Job overview

The Health & Safety Advisor will provide competent, professional and practical health and safety advice across the Trust, supporting the delivery of a safe environment for staff, patients, visitors and contractors. The postholder will work closely with clinical and corporate services to ensure health and safety risks are identified, assessed, controlled and effectively managed in accordance with UK legislation, HSE guidance, NHS requirements and Trust policies.

Main duties of the job

• Provide competent health and safety advice to managers and staff across the Trust.
• Undertake and support risk assessments, including COSHH, violence and aggression, DSE and other workplace risks.
• Investigate accidents, incidents and identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation, HSE guidance,
• Conduct health and safety inspections and audits.
• Advise managers on appropriate risk controls and monitor actions t.
• Provide specialist COSHH advice.
• Support the management of violence and aggression, slips, trips and falls, manual handling and other occupational risks.
• Assess and support RIDDOR reporting.
• Deliver health and safety training.
• Work collaboratively with Occupational Health, IPC, Estates & Facilities, Security, and other specialist teams.
• Promote a proactive health and safety culture, learning from incidents.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, HSE guidance and NHS requirements.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Sound knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and HSE guidance.
• Experience in risk assessment, auditing and incident investigation.
• Ability to analyse risks and provide practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
• Confidence working with staff at all levels, including senior managers.
• Commitment to CPD and promoting a positive health and safety culture.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Responsibilities

• Provide competent health and safety advice and guidance to managers and staff across clinical and non-clinical areas.
• Undertake, review and advise on workplace risk assessments, including COSHH, violence and aggression, manual handling, slips/trips/falls, DSE and other occupational risks.
• Support managers in identifying appropriate risk control measures and monitor actions through to completion.
• Conduct health and safety inspections, audits and compliance assessments, producing clear reports and recommendations.
• Investigate workplace accidents, incidents, near misses and dangerous occurrences, identifying immediate, underlying and root causes and recommending preventative actions.
• Assist with the assessment and reporting of RIDDOR incidents and maintain appropriate records.
• Provide specialist advice on COSHH, including chemical storage, exposure controls, Safety Data Sheets, PPE and emergency arrangements.
• Support the management of violence and aggression, workplace violence, occupational health risks, hazardous substances and other workplace hazards.
• Provide advice on the selection and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
• Develop, review and contribute to health and safety policies, procedures, guidance and risk assessment templates.
• Deliver or support the delivery of health and safety training, awareness sessions and staff briefings.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise managers on their implications for Trust services.
• Work collaboratively with Occupational Health, Infection Prevention and Control, Estates & Facilities, Security, HR, Procurement and other specialist teams to manage workplace risks.
• Promote a positive and proactive health and safety culture, encouraging learning from incidents and sharing good practice.
• Maintain accurate records of risk assessments, audits, incidents, inspections and action plans, ensuring information is current and traceable.
• Monitor departmental compliance with health and safety requirements and escalate significant risks or areas of non-compliance appropriately.
• Prepare reports, statistical information and performance data for the Health & Safety Team, relevant committees and senior management.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of the Trust's Health & Safety Management System.
• Participate in Trust projects, service developments and changes to ensure health and safety considerations are incorporated at an early stage.
• Provide advice on contractor and construction-related health and safety matters where appropriate, including review of relevant risk assessments and safe systems of work.
• Support managers following significant incidents and assist with identifying and implementing lessons learned and preventative measures.
• Undertake workplace visits and provide practical advice to resolve health and safety concerns.
• Maintain professional competence through continuing professional development (CPD) and remain informed of current NHS, HSE and industry best practice.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade and role as required by the Head of Health & Safety.

Key Accountability

The postholder will be expected to identify significant health and safety risks, provide proportionate and evidence-based advice, challenge unsafe practices where necessary, and support managers to fulfil their health and safety responsibilities. The role will contribute to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and the protection of staff, patients and others affected by Trust activities.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.