Health and Safety Officer

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The purpose of this role is to provide Health, Safety and Security Management advice and support to:

• The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, and
• Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.

This role will provide expert advice, support, and management on all aspects of Health, Safety, Security Management, and monitor both Trusts status, in regard to compliance with safety legislation.

Main duties of the job

Working as the Health and Safety Officer, across both Trusts, you will look at all aspects of health and safety including dealing with hazardous substances, violence and abusive behaviour, lone working and application of health and safety law related to the safety and well being of visitors and contractors.

Whilst primarily based at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, the role will include travelling and working across all Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust sites.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required to understand the differing needs of patients treated by staff across the Trust, including those with cognitive or physical disabilities, challenging behaviours and complex needs.

1. Delivering and receiving complex, highly sensitive, or contentious information that requires a high level of expertise in persuasive communication, motivational techniques, negotiation, training, empathy, or reassurance.
2. Support the Trusts Health and Safety Team in implementing a robust Health and Safety Strategy that underpins the Trusts Governance arrangements and meets external HSE and HTM requirements.
3. To provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on content of policies, procedures and legal regulations associated with health and safety, under supervision of the Health & Safety Manager.
4. Participate in the Trusts work relating to external accreditation processes including the Care Quality Commission Inspections (CQC) and other initiatives as required by external stakeholders.
5. Respond to day-to-day Health and Safety issues and inform the Health and Safety Lead of significant issues that require escalation.
6. Undertake Health and Safety inspections and audits in accordance with the agreed work programme.
7. Possessing a thorough understanding of health and safety procedures and practices that require specialised expertise in the field.
8. Understanding and implementing COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments.
9. The post holder will be required to undertake complex incident investigations to determine the root cause of any incidents that fall under the reporting requirements of RIDDOR.
10. Ensure that RIDDOR reports are submitted to the Health and Safety Executive within prescribed timescales.
11. To support senior management as part of the overall approach of risk reduction for both Trusts and their partner agencies.
12. To implement the variety of both Trusts health and safety policies and provide expert guidance and training on all aspects of health, safety and welfare matters to all staff and volunteers.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent with at least 3 years' experience of health and safety preferably within an NHS setting.
• Professional accreditation by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) as a minimum.
• Full UK Driving Licence.
• COSHH Assessment trained.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills.
• Professional approach, coupled with strong interpersonal people skills.

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of risk assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of NHS Violence Prevention and Reduction standards.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.