Operational Reporting To: Senior Project Manager
Functional Reporting To: Group QHSE Manager
Work Location: Project Site(s), UAE
JOB DESCRIPTION – SOLAR HSE MANAGER
Department: QHSE / Projects
Position: Solar HSE Manager
Operational Reporting To: Senior Project Manager
Functional Reporting To: Group QHSE Manager
Work Location: Project Site(s), UAE
1. Job Purpose
To lead and manage all Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) activities at solar EPC project sites, ensuring compliance with applicable UAE HSE legislation, client requirements, project specifications, and Group QHSE policies. The role is responsible for implementing effective site HSE systems, preventing incidents, promoting a strong safety culture, and ensuring safe execution of solar construction, installation, testing, and commissioning activities.
2. Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Site HSE Management: Develop, implement, and monitor the project-specific HSE Plan, risk assessments, method statements, emergency response plans, and safe systems of work.
- Solar EPC Activities: Oversee HSE compliance during civil works, piling, foundations, mounting structure installation, solar PV module installation, DC/AC cabling, inverter installation, transformer and substation works, energisation, testing, and commissioning.
- Critical Risk Management: Ensure effective controls for working at height, electrical safety, LOTO, excavation, lifting operations, heavy equipment, hot work, confined spaces, temporary electrical installations, and simultaneous operations (SIMOPS).
- UAE Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with applicable UAE federal and emirate-level HSE requirements, relevant environmental regulations, client standards, and project-specific HSE obligations.
- Inspections and Audits: Conduct routine site inspections, HSE audits, toolbox talks, and compliance reviews; identify unsafe conditions and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.
- Incident Management: Investigate incidents, near misses, and unsafe acts; conduct root-cause analysis and implement preventive and corrective measures.
- Workforce Training: Deliver HSE inductions, toolbox talks, safety campaigns, and task-specific training. Verify workforce competency and required certifications.
- Permit-to-Work (PTW): Monitor implementation of the PTW system and ensure adequate risk assessments, authorisations, isolation, and supervision before high-risk activities commence.
- Emergency Preparedness: Establish and test emergency response arrangements, including electrical incidents, fire, heat stress, medical emergencies, and evacuation.
- Environmental Management: Monitor waste management, spill prevention, dust, noise, housekeeping, and other project environmental controls.
- Subcontractor Management: Assess subcontractor HSE plans, monitor compliance, and enforce corrective actions in coordination with project management.
- Reporting and Documentation: Maintain HSE statistics, inspection records, training matrices, incident reports, action trackers, and monthly HSE performance reports.
- Client Coordination: Liaise with client representatives, consultants, authorities, and other contractors on HSE matters, inspections, audits, and compliance requirements.
- Stop-Work Authority: Exercise authority to stop unsafe activities and escape significant risks, incidents, and non-compliances to the Senior Project Manager and Group QHSE Manager.
- Continuous Improvement: Promote workforce participation, safety leadership, lessons learned, and continual improvement of project HSE performance.
3. Education and Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
- NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) in Occupational Health and Safety (Mandatory).
- NEBOSH International Diploma or equivalent higher-level HSE qualification is an advantage.
- Additional qualifications in construction safety, environmental management, incident investigation, fire safety, first aid, or risk assessment are desirable.
- ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems auditor/lead auditor certification is an advantage.
4. Experience and Competencies
- Minimum 8–10 years of relevant HSE experience, preferably including at least 3–5 years in utility-scale solar PV EPC projects.
- Proven UAE experience with solar EPC contractors, renewable energy developers, or major construction projects (UAE solar EPC experience is strongly preferred).
- Practical knowledge of solar PV construction, electrical installation, commissioning, and associated high-risk activities.
- Experience implementing project HSE plans, PTW systems, risk assessments, method statements, audits, and incident investigations.
- Familiarity with UAE HSE legislation, client HSE standards, and relevant international best practices.
- Strong leadership, communication, coordination, reporting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage subcontractors and workforce safety across large, multidisciplinary project sites.
- Proficiency in MS Office and preparation of HSE reports and performance dashboards.
5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Compliance with project and Group QHSE requirements.
- Timely closure of HSE inspection findings and corrective actions.
- Completion of planned inspections, audits, inductions, and toolbox talks.
- Incident prevention, investigation quality, and implementation of lessons learned.
- Subcontractor HSE compliance and workforce safety engagement.
- Compliance with environmental requirements and emergency preparedness plans.