Health and Safety Manager (STAFFCUM04) Penrith, England
Salary: GBP45 - GBP55 per annum
Health & Safety Manager
Location: Penrith, Cumbria
Salary: Competitive DOE + Benefits
Hours: 45 Hours Per Week
Lead Safety. Drive Compliance. Make a Difference.
We are recruiting for an experienced Health & Safety Manager to join a well-established industrial processing operation based in Penrith. This is a key leadership position, responsible for developing and driving a strong safety culture across a busy manufacturing environment.
Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and regulatory compliance are maintained while supporting operational performance and continuous improvement.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive Health & Safety professional who enjoys being visible on site, influencing people at all levels, and delivering meaningful improvements in a fast-paced industrial setting.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety Leadership
- Lead and implement the site's health and safety strategy.
- Provide expert advice to senior management on risk management, compliance and safety improvements.
- Promote a positive safety culture through workforce engagement, safety tours and toolbox talks.
- Drive near-miss reporting, behavioural safety initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all relevant UK Health & Safety legislation.
- Maintain health and safety management systems, policies and procedures.
- Develop and review risk assessments, safe systems of work and method statements.
- Coordinate internal audits, inspections and external regulatory visits.
- Ensure statutory inspections and compliance activities are completed on time.
Operational Safety
- Manage and reduce risks associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance activities and site infrastructure.
- Oversee safe working practices relating to:
- Machinery and equipment
- Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO)
- Confined spaces
- Hot work
- Working at height
- Lifting operations
- Pressure systems
- Ensure effective management of COSHH, occupational health risks and workplace hazards.
- Lead investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses.
- Identify root causes and implement preventative actions.
- Monitor safety performance trends and produce management reports.
- Drive corrective actions through to completion and verification.
Contractor & Project Safety
- Manage contractor approval, induction and performance monitoring processes.
- Review RAMS and permit-to-work requirements.
- Support engineering teams with maintenance shutdowns, installations and capital projects.
- Ensure safety is incorporated into project planning and change management activities.
Training & Safety Culture
- Maintain training and competency records across the site.
- Deliver coaching and guidance to managers and supervisors.
- Support employee engagement through safety campaigns and consultation activities.
- Promote continuous learning and workforce involvement in safety initiatives.
- Coordinate emergency drills and evacuation exercises.
- Manage first aid provisions and emergency equipment requirements.
- Support occupational health initiatives and health surveillance programmes.
What We're Looking For
- NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or equivalent.
- IOSH Membership, ideally Chartered or working towards Chartered status.
- Previous Health & Safety management experience within:
- Manufacturing
- Industrial processing
- Engineering
- Heavy industry
- Production environments
- Strong knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation.
- Experience conducting audits, investigations and risk assessments.
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders from shop floor through to senior management.
- Experience within processing, waste management, food production, chemical, energy or continuous manufacturing environments.
- Knowledge of:
- ISO 45001
- DSEAR
- Machinery safety
- Pressure systems
- Process safety
- Combustible dust risks
- Experience engaging with regulators, insurers and external auditors.
About You
You will be:
- A visible and hands‑on safety leader.
- Confident challenging unsafe behaviours and practices.
- Highly organised and detail orientated.
- An excellent communicator who can build strong relationships across all levels of the business.
- Analytical with a strong continuous improvement mindset.
- Passionate about creating safer workplaces and driving positive change.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary dependent on experience.
- Permanent, full-time position.
- Opportunity to shape and influence site‑wide safety strategy.
- Career development within a successful and growing organisation.
- Supportive leadership team and collaborative working environment.