Health and Safety Advisor

gravesham borough council; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a Health and Safety Advisor to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation across various departments. Responsibilities include conducting risk assessments, delivering health and safety training, and advising on statutory obligations. The ideal candidate will have a relevant health and safety qualification (NEBOSH or equivalent) and experience in health and safety management. This position offers opportunities for skill development and a commitment to community safety.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Public sector pension scheme

Qualifications

• Qualification in Health and Safety Management (NEBOSH or equivalent) is essential.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments and implementing health and safety policies.
• Strong communication skills for training and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Advise departments on health and safety obligations and provide quarterly reports.
• Lead health and safety training for new staff.
• Conduct regular health and safety inspections at operational sites.

Skills

Health and Safety expertise

Risk assessment

Training delivery

Communication skills

Incident investigation

Organizational skills

Education

NEBOSH or equivalent Health and Safety qualification

Tools

Health and Safety management software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Director (Operations) to :

Act as Health and Safety Advisor – Leading on ensuring that appropriate risk assessments and Corporate Health and Safety policies are in place

Lead on the organising and delivering of training, recording and investigation of accidents as required.

To provide assistance to the Senior Corporate Health and Safety Advisor for corporate based Health & Safety projects such as outside events held by the Council and to assist with delivery of the day to day corporate Health & Safety work as required.

Main responsibilities and job activities

• To advise all departments, managers and employees of the Council on their statutory obligations in respect of health and safety, this to include providing quarterly reports to Management Team.
• To work with managers to compile and review relevant risk assessments for the operational team at Brookvale Depot.
• To undertake DSE assessments and the administration of the eyetest / DSE voucher scheme and the Drivers eyetest voucher scheme.
• To draw up corporate health and safety policies and procedures as required.
• To undertake health and safety monitoring (both on and off-site) of all front line operations on the ground, including but not limited to Refuse Collection, Street Cleansing, Grounds Maintenance, Cemeteries and Housing Maintenance & Repairs.
• To provide health and safety induction for all new staff within Brookvale Depot and the Civic Centre when requested to do so including permanent staff, casuals and apprentices.
• To develop and oversee the Health and Safety Training Plan for operational staff at Brookvale Depot and to maintain, manage and keep records of health and safety training.
• Manage H&S training costs and training budget.
• To draw up Corporate Health and Safety policies, procedures and risk assessments as required.
• To lead on the provision of in-house Health and Safety training for all staff.
• Ensure that suitable onsite Health & Safety inspections are carried out by Managers. To carry out onsite Health & Safety inspections to ensure tasks are being carried out as per instructions.
• Manage the random drug and alcohol testing with the HR Team in line with the Council’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy including
• To work with the Building and Facilities Management and the Senior Corporate Health and Safety Advisor to review and update the Fire Safety Instructions for the Brookvale Depot. To be responsible for the monitoring and testing of the Fire Alarms at the Brookvale Depot.
• Continuously review the working of the depot to ensure that Health & Safety practices are being adhered too and to carry out regular inspections of the depot and buildings.
• To ensure that suitable staff consultation is maintained in respect of health and safety including attending the quarterly health and safety consultative committee meetings and Operational staff meetings held at Brookvale Depot.
• To investigate reported workplace accidents and incidents (including near-misses) when deemed necessary and in accordance with the Council’s procedures and to provide advice and guidance to improve systems and procedures in response to accidents occurring.
• To investigate reported incidents of unacceptable and aggressive behaviour when deemed necessary and in accordance with the Council’s procedures and take action and provide advice accordingly.
• To conduct Corporate Health and Safety audits and assist with drawing up and implementing Health & Safety action plans for both the depot and the Council as a whole.
• To assist with outdoor events arranged by the Council, actively participating in planning for events and acting as safety officer when required.
• To assist with the council’s First Aid response across all council buildings including maintaining a pool of suitably trained staff, maintenance of all first aid equipment at the depot including suitably stocked first aid boxes and the maintenance of the AED located at the depot.
• Become a mental health champion, to provide support and advice to staff on mental health.
• To keep up to date with changes in Health & Safety guidance and introduce any relevant changes required due to changes in legislation.
• Liaise with other teams and departments within the Council and relevant external bodies to ensure that all areas of work are satisfactorily progressed.
• To assist with the Permit to Work scheme in conjunction with Building and Facilities Management
• To be a member of and take an active role in any Health and Safety Corporate Working Groups and initiatives (or similar) arising.
• To compile technical data and prepare reports etc. in respect of work and projects within the post holder’s spheres of responsibility and influence.
• To act as a technical and scientific advisor and representative in respect of relevant areas of work, and apply information technology (as appropriate) to the achievement of satisfactory project outcomes.
• Represent Gravesham at Kent wide liaison groups as required.
• Work out of hours as necessary to deliver the service required by the Council; including participation in emergency planning and outdoor events.
• To attend and contribute to courses and seminars as required to maintain competence.
• To provide support to the Council’s Senior EHO (Health & Safety) Corporate Health and Safety Advisor for corporate based Health & Safety projects such as outside events held by the Council and to assist with delivery of the day to day corporate Health & Safety work as required.

General

To carry out such other duties as may be required of you, commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility, as directed by management.

The Council is committed to the principles of Investors in People as a means of ensuring the continued efficiency of service it provides. As part of the commitment, each employee has a responsibility to develop the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to competently perform all relevant duties of the department.

To participate as required in the Council’s Emergency Planning Operations which may involve duties outside the post holder’s normal job description and contracted hours. In the event that an incident has occurred which disrupts the council’s ability to deliver it’s critical functions, the post holder will be expected to participate in the recovery stage which may include undertaking duties within the post holder’s competencies in other departments and/or at other locations.

A commitment and contribution to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy is an essential requirement of the post.

The post holder will carry out all duties and activities having regard to the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and in accordance with any instructions from senior members of staff under that Act or any Council or Departmental Codes of Practice or Procedures.

The post holder must ensure that data quality and integrity is maintained and that data is processed in accordance with council policy, the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and other legislation

The post holder will comply with Statute and Council Policy in all respects.

An awareness and commitment to section 17 which places a statutory duty on police and local authorities to work in partnership to reduce crime and promote community safety. It is also required that community safety is to be a thread running through all functions of the LA

A commitment to excellent customer service and the values of the Council