Senior Health & Safety Advisor

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Health & Safety Advisor to join our Corporate Health & Safety Team.

Reporting to the Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), you will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the highest standards of health, safety, fire, environmental and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) compliance across Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

As a trusted specialist, you will provide expert advice, assurance, training and compliance auditing across a diverse range of healthcare and corporate environments. You will support the management of incidents, investigations, risk assessments and regulatory compliance activities, helping to ensure safe environments for our patients, visitors and staff.

This is an excellent opportunity for a confident and experienced health and safety professional who is passionate about promoting a positive safety culture, driving continuous improvement, and influencing change across a complex organisation.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be a proactive and influential professional with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

You will:

• Provide expert advice and guidance on health, safety, fire and environmental compliance matters across the Trust.
• Deliver engaging health and safety and fire safety training programmes to staff at all levels.
• Undertake audits, inspections and compliance monitoring activities to ensure adherence to legislation, standards and Trust policies.
• Support the investigation of incidents, near misses and safety concerns, identifying learning opportunities and improvements.
• Advise managers on risk assessments and support the management of departmental, divisional and corporate risks.
• Promote a positive health and safety culture through effective engagement, leadership and communication.
• Work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams to improve compliance and operational safety.
• Contribute to the development and review of health and safety policies, procedures and guidance.
• Support organisational learning and continuous improvement through analysis of incidents, audits and emerging risks.

We are looking for an individual who leads by example, demonstrates professional integrity, embraces innovation and consistently delivers a high-quality customer-focused service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Senior Health & Safety Advisor will:

• Act as a subject matter expert on health and safety, fire safety and environmental compliance.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to managers and staff across the Trust.
• Promote and embed a culture where health and safety is everyone's responsibility.
• Influence and support decision-making to ensure legal and regulatory compliance is maintained.
• Conduct health and safety audits, workplace inspections and compliance reviews.
• Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation, standards and Trust policies.
• Support the development, implementation and review of policies, procedures and safe systems of work.
• Ensure the Trust remains compliant with new and existing legislative requirements.
• Advise on risk assessments and risk management processes.
• Support and lead investigations into incidents, near misses, complaints and safety concerns as required.
• Analyse trends and emerging risks to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to the management of Departmental, Divisional and Corporate Risk Registers.
• Deliver training, presentations and awareness programmes to internal stakeholders.
• Engage staff in promoting safe and healthy working practices.
• Work in partnership with Safety Representatives and other professional groups to improve workplace safety.
• Support organisational learning through the sharing of lessons learned and best practice
• Liaise with regulatory and enforcement bodies including: Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Environment Agency Police Crown Prosecution Service Local Authorities External Contractors and Service Provider
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• Environment Agency
• Police
• Crown Prosecution Service
• Local Authorities
• External Contractors and Service Provider
• Work collaboratively with specialist teams including: Occupational Health Risk Management Infection Prevention and Control Moving and Handling Violence and Aggression Teams Estates and Facilities Compliance Fire Safety Learning and Development
• Occupational Health
• Risk Management
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Moving and Handling
• Violence and Aggression Teams
• Estates and Facilities Compliance
• Fire Safety
• Learning and Development
• Support the Workplace Services leadership team in delivering safe, effective and patient-focused services.
• Champion innovation, staff engagement and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as a role model, promoting inclusive leadership and professional behaviours.
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion by ensuring all staff have opportunities for development and progression.
• Take responsibility for maintaining professional competence through ongoing training and continuous professional development.

You will be expected to work flexibly across Trust sites and contribute to the ongoing development of a culture of safety, compliance and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.

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.