Health and Safety Advisor

Nicholas Associates; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas Associates is seeking a Health & Safety Advisor for a major civil engineering and infrastructure project near Birmingham, working on HS2 in the Bickenhill area. You will provide proactive HSE support across construction phases, lead site inspections, risk assessments, RAMS, and incident investigations, and engage with contractors and client.

The role requires NEBOSH Construction, IOSH Grad desirable, CSCS, and strong communication to drive safety culture.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate or equivalent is essential.
• IOSH membership, GradIOSH desirable.
• Valid CSCS card required.
• Strong knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and UK safety legislation.
• Experience with civil engineering, infrastructure, highways, rail or large construction projects.
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional health and safety advice to project teams and subcontractors.
• Lead site inspections, audits, and behavioural safety observations.
• Review RAMS, lift plans, temporary works docs, and permit systems.
• Lead investigations of accidents and near misses; implement corrective actions.
• Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks, inductions, and workforce engagement.
• Liaise with client, principal contractor, regulatory bodies, and supply chain partners.

Skills

Auditing & inspections

Incident investigations

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Behavioural safety coaching

Risk assessment guidance

Education

NEBOSH Construction Certificate

IOSH Membership (GradIOSH desirable)

CSCS Card

Experience in civil engineering / infrastructure projects

Job description

Health & Safety Advisor – Major Civil Engineering & Infrastructure

My client are a very well regarded civil engineering and infrastructure company, based in Birmingham, currently recruiting for a Health and Safety Advisor, to work on HS2, in the Bickenhill area of Warwickshire, near Birmingham airport.

Working closely with operational teams, subcontractors, and the client, you will provide proactive health and safety support across all phases of construction, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, company procedures, and project–specific standards.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety Leadership

• Provide professional health and safety advice and guidance to project management teams, supervisors, engineers, and subcontractors.
• Support the implementation of the project Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy, promoting a positive and proactive safety culture across the workforce.

Site Inspections & Assurance

• Undertake regular site inspections, audits, and behavioural safety observations across multiple work fronts.
• Monitor compliance with company procedures, client requirements, RAMS, permits to work, and industry best practice.
• Produce detailed inspection reports, track corrective actions, and elevate significant findings where necessary.

Risk Management

• Review and provide guidance on Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), lift plans, temporary works documentation, and permit systems.
• Support teams in identifying and mitigating risks associated with earthworks, excavation, temporary works, heavy plant operations, utilities, lifting activities, and construction logistics.
• Ensure effective control measures are implemented and maintained throughout project delivery.

Incident Investigation

• Lead and support the investigation of accidents, incidents, near misses, and unsafe acts.
• Conduct root cause analysis and develop corrective and preventative actions.
• Communicate lessons learned across the project and wider business to drive continual improvement.

Workforce Engagement

• Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks, inductions, and workforce engagement sessions.
• Promote health, safety, wellbeing, and environmental awareness initiatives.
• Encourage workforce involvement through safety conversations, behavioural observations, and employee feedback.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with the client, principal contractor, regulatory bodies, and supply chain partners on health and safety matters.
• Attend project meetings, progress reviews, and safety forums, providing professional advice and performance updates.
• Support collaborative working relationships to ensure project objectives are achieved safely and efficiently.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or equivalent).
• IOSH Membership (working towards GradIOSH or equivalent desirable).
• Valid CSCS Card.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and UK health and safety legislation.
• Experience working within civil engineering, infrastructure, highways, rail, utilities, or large–scale construction projects.
• Experience conducting audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and report–writing skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to influence positive behavioural change.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solutions–focused approach to health and safety management.
• Ability to build strong working relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Confident in challenging unsafe behaviours and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to achieving high safety standards.
• Ability to work independently across a fast–paced, multi–contractor environment.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to become a key member of a major infrastructure project team, contributing directly to the safe and successful delivery of a nationally significant construction programme.

Applicant from PAYE, CIS and Ltd Company pay routes will be considered.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.