Health and Safety Officer (Accident Prevention)

Education Authority; Belfast; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A public education organization in Northern Ireland is seeking a Health and Safety Advisor to minimize workplace accidents in educational settings. Responsibilities include assisting the Health and Safety Manager and ensuring compliance with regulations through audits and investigations. Ideal candidates hold a NEBOSH certificate and have experience in Health and Safety service delivery. This position requires proactive engagement within schools to improve safety practices.

Benefits

Generous benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Hold a third level qualification (HNC or above) or equivalent.
• One year experience in Health and Safety service delivery.
• Knowledge of Northern Ireland Health and Safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Health and Safety Manager in managing the team.
• Conduct audits, inspections, and investigations.
• Advise on compliance with Health and Safety regulations.

Skills

Health and Safety support

Accident investigation

Microsoft Office

Audit and inspection

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate

HNC or equivalent

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Health and Safety Manager

Responsible for: Provision of specialist support and guidance with regard to Education Authority (EA) Health and Safety related matters, for the delivery of an Accident Prevention and Investigation Service across the EA.

JOB PURPOSE

The post-holder will assist the Health and Safety Manager in the day to day management of an Accident Prevention and Investigation Team within the Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Service, providing accurate and relevant advice and support on all matters relating to workplace accident reduction by carrying out audits, inspections and investigations, when necessary, of education premises to ensure compliance with Health and Safety and other Statutory requirements. The post-holder will also assist the Health and Safety Manager in the implementation of the EA Health and Safety Policy by providing a proactive Health and Safety presence in schools, to refocus the efforts of the service on accident prevention. The post-holder will be part of a newly created team which will be responsible for positively impacting on the number of accidents and incidents across Schools and EA Corporate to reduce the number and value of claims against the EA.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accident Prevention and Investigation

• Maintain and develop procedures for the reporting, investigation and analysis of accidents, incidents and other health and safety data.
• Maximise the use of management information, supporting reports and performance indicators from the Online Accident Reporting System to identify accident trends and develop supporting mitigation strategies to prevent recurrence in support of the Health and Safety Manager.
• Respond with action as appropriate to ‘lessons learned’ correspondence from EA Claims and Insurance in support of the Health and Safety Manager.
• Advise schools/EA Corporate on ‘lessons learned’ as directed by the Health and Safety Manager.
• Investigate accidents/incidents as required by the Health and Safety Manager and make recommendations to avoid accident recurrence, ensuring legal compliance with Health and Safety Regulations.
• Liaise with various statutory bodies/agencies and take such action as is necessary to progress reports from these statutory bodies to ensure the EA complies with its legal obligations.
• Initiate and report to the HSENI via the NI2508 system on reportable accidents and incidents.
• Forward relevant accident reports to other education employing authorities to enable them to comply with their legal obligations under RIDDOR.
• Monitor any corrective action resulting from accident reports.
• Advise Boards of Governors, through principals and officers, on the priorities necessary to avoid accidents or dangerous occurrences.
• Assist the Health and Safety Manager in the Investigation of accidents to ensure compliance with statutory procedures and prepare detailed reports to recommend remedial action and prevent recurrence.
• The post-holder will be required to assist in providing a proactive health and safety advisory function to Schools and EA Services as and when required, when not involved in Accident Prevention and Investigation, under the direction of the Health and Safety Manager.

General Duties

• Ensure the availability of up to date and readily available information and data to support the production of reports and responses for and on behalf of EA Senior Management, EA Board Members, the Department of Education and others as required.
• Formulate and contribute to requests from Assembly Questions, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information or media enquiries for the consideration and approval of the Health and Safety Manager and the Senior Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Manager.
• Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade and within the competence of the post holder under the direction of the Health and Safety Manager.

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of responsibilities and reflects an initial assessment of the needs of the Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Service. As such, it is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to on-going review and refinement to ensure the Service’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the business. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Health and Safety Manager in consultation with the Health and Safety Officer (Accident Prevention).

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, paying due regard for equality legislation at all times.

To view the summary of terms and conditions for this post, click here.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.

2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.

3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.

4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.

5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.

6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/
Experience

Hold a third level qualification (HNC or above), or equivalent and have one years’ demonstrable experience of providing support in a Health and Safety service delivery environment;

OR

Have three years' demonstrable experience of providing support in a Health and Safety service delivery environment.

Hold a NEBOSH General Certificate Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent.

Demonstrable experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.

Experience and understanding of the Risk Assessment process and Accident Investigation.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge

Demonstrable knowledge of the Online Accident Reporting System.

Knowledge of Northern Ireland Health and Safety Legislation.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;

OR

be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.

Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge

Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.

Interview

Skills/
Abilities

In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:

Ability to successfully plan, prioritise and manage work within required timescales.

Ability to demonstrate initiative, work flexibly and resolve complex matters with minimal direction.

Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships at a range of levels, including senior leadership level.

Ability to take a responsive and customer focused approach to work.

Interview

Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values. You will find information about our Values here.

Interview

Section 3 - Desirable Criteria

Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Knowledge An understanding of the delivery of the Health and Safety Service within a large complex organisation.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Our Values

Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.

DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.

In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.

Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.