Head of Environment, Health, and Safety - Rail Experience Required

J&T Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Environment, Health, and Safety to lead critical safety initiatives in the rail sector. This pivotal role involves overseeing health and safety practices, ensuring compliance with UK regulations, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. You will spearhead safety management, conduct audits, and liaise with clients and subcontractors to uphold the highest safety standards. If you are a passionate leader with a strong background in HSQE and a commitment to enhancing safety performance, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in health and safety management within the rail industry.
• Strong understanding of UK health and safety legislation and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead HSQE practices and ensure compliance across all projects.
• Develop safety initiatives and conduct regular audits and inspections.
• Manage and mentor the HSQE team to enhance safety performance.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Health and Safety Management

Regulatory Compliance

Fatigue Management

Behavioural Safety

Education

Degree in Health and Safety or related field

Tools

HSQE Systems

Mobile Applications

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Job description

Head of Environment, Health, and Safety - Rail Experience Required

The role will lead all Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental (HSQE) services as required by a principal contractor within a 24/7/365 sector, which is a critical position focused on ensuring safety standards across various projects and sites.

This role requires a comprehensive understanding of rail industry regulations, strong leadership skills, and the ability to implement effective safety initiatives, including behavioural safety, fatigue management and site reporting.

The Health & Safety Manager will provide subject matter expertise, assurance, and support to the business, with a primary focus on continuous improvement in all areas of HSQE, and develop and maintain company policies, processes, and procedures. With a team to manage and develop, future growth is planned across the broader infrastructure market, with the current focus on the rail sector.

Key Responsibilities for the Role:

Safety Management

• Implement and oversee HSQE practices across the business
• Identify and develop specific safety processes and procedures for specialist services provided by the business
• Monitor fatigue management and working hours to ensure proper planning of working patterns
• Lead monthly safety reviews and coordinate safety briefings to teams
• Carry out investigations as required
• Create and maintain HSQE project folders supported by the project team
• Regular site safety tours and inspections of company and client sites/projects

Compliance and Audits

• Ensure adherence to UK legislative frameworks and client standards
• Conduct regular site visits to assess safety standards and practices
• Perform internal audits and inspections to maintain compliance with industry regulations
• Perform external audits on supply chain where deemed appropriate
• Manage audit requirements for RISQS, ISO, sector accreditations and client audits with the support of your team
• Implementation and continuous improvement process aligned to the RM3 model

Client & Subcontractor Interaction

• Liaise with clients, including Network Rail, to understand project requirements and safety expectations and attend any client/industry safety forums
• Provide professional health and safety advice to project teams on matters affecting the portfolio of projects
• Act as the single point of contact for day-to-day site health and safety matters with regulatory bodies such as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), HSE etc.
• Support the bid and commercial team in responses required for bids
• Ensure all subcontractors are briefed and aware of relevant company processes and procedures, along with any reporting requirements

Safety Initiatives

• Develop and lead safety initiatives to improve overall health and safety performance
• Coordinate health & safety activities across projects/divisions and maintain effective liaison with other clients to ensure we are a leading supplier/subcontractor in relation to safety
• Promote best practices and lessons learned through periodic meetings with contracting organisations and clients
• Ownership of technology including Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobile applications and HSQE systems

People

• Leadership of HSQE team through 1-2-1 meetings, setting SMART team goals and individual objectives
• Recruitment of new team members, working with HR/Recruitment Team
• Mentoring of HSQE team and staff across the business
• Coordinating team out of hours cover

Training and Development

• Ensure all workers receive site-specific inductions and necessary training
• Continual development of the skills and competency matrix to improve safety knowledge, CDM Regulations, behavioural safety and accredited safety training
• Develop and maintain effective communication channels for continuous information and feedback

Individual

• Where required, attend training and competency development courses as directed by the Company
• Achieve as a minimum the objectives and KPI’s set by the Directors, conduct open and honest discussions with Line Manager at Monthly 1-2-1 meetings on successes/improvements in the role
• Take reasonable care for the health and safety of self and others who may be affected by acts or omissions related to your work. Co-operate fully with the management of the Company with regards to any duty or requirement imposed on them by the relevant Health and Safety legislation to allow that duty or requirement to be carried out or complied with. Report all near misses, incidents and accidents through the correct reporting chain immediately that you are aware of any occurrence
• Where directed, complete any tasks as required by the business across the Group companies to ensure compliance, safety or business continuity

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Management and Manufacturing

Industries

Business Consulting and Services