Health & Safety Advisor

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Health and Safety Advisor to oversee compliance with safety legislation and provide guidance on health and safety practices. The successful candidate will perform audits, investigate incidents, and conduct training programs to ensure a safe environment for staff and patients. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to workplace safety and wellbeing in a dynamic healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in health and safety management.
• Knowledge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Ability to conduct audits and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provide health and safety advice and guidance across the Trust.
• Carry out safety audits and investigations of incidents.
• Develop programs for health and safety training.

Skills

Health and safety management

Risk assessment

Incident investigation

Communication

Education

Relevant safety qualification

Job description

Overview

Do you have what it takes or are you looking for a new challenge? We have an exciting opportunity for someone with the right qualifications and experience to join the MSEFT Health and Safety Team as an advisor. The Health and Safety Advisors acts as a focus for all health and safety matters in the organisation with accountability for safety matters reporting up to the Head of Health Safety via the Director of (Corporate Governance) By the provision of competent advice, assisting in providing and maintaining high levels of safety provisions within Trust premises in line with The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, NHS Health Technical Memorandum's, British Standards and Best Practices ACOPs under relevant legislative requirements. As the competent person for health and safety, the post holder will ensure that that the Trust complies with all aspects of the Health and Safety at work Act and related legislation. The successful post holder will work closely with all relevant parties within the hospital and externally to ensure a safe environment for all individuals accessing or supporting Trust Healthcare Service, and by extension sustained care and wellbeing in relation to Health and Safety. Be the competent person for the management of Health and Safety fulfilling the Trust's legal obligations. This includes developing, implementing and managing the systems and processes for effective health, safety and security management across the Trust; assisting the organisation in providing a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors to the Trust; achieving compliance with its statutory duties under Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Working for our organisation Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.
Be the competent person for the management of Health and Safety fulfilling the Trust's legal obligations. This includes developing, implementing and managing the systems and processes for effective health, safety and security management across the Trust; assisting the organisation in providing a safe environment for staff, patients and visitors to the Trust; achieving compliance with its statutory duties under Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• The post holder will provide advice, guidance and instruction on health and safety management matters to ensure that the Trust minimises risk.
• The post holder will ensure that the Trust meets its statutory obligations and achieves high safety standards.
• The post holder will develop the culture of safe working practice.
• The post holder will carry out periodic safety audits of activities/functions.
• The post holder will provide analyses of health and safety incidents in order to advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work.
• The post holder will investigate accidents reportable under the RIDDOR to identify, fully investigate and report them in a timely manner to the enforcing authority, with assistance of safety team members where required.
• The post holder will present detailed Health and Safety incident data to the site Health and Safety Management Group / Relevant Health and Safety Management Forums and/or meetings.
• The job description is not intended to be exhaustive and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the post holder.
• The post holder will be required to work across the Trust at any time throughout the duration of his/her contract, which may entail travel and working at different hospitals.
• Develop and implement a program of health and safety audits.
• Carry out random safety checks: assess the risks present in a specific work area, workplace or process to identify unsafe working conditions and practices; make recommendations to remedy any defects found; ensure recommendations are acted upon (schedule, review and record).
• Ensure safety inspections of premises (housekeeping standards, compliance with formal safety standards, environmental and ergonomic controls) are conducted and completed in line with the agreed monthly/annual work plan.
• Advise on safe systems of work, including providing advice on the provision and use of appropriate protective equipment.
• Advise on safety aspects in the design and use of plant and equipment, including the checking of new equipment before commissioning.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of new or impending legislation and any other mandatory NHS instructions relating to the area of work.
• Develop annual action plans relevant to the area of work and be responsible for implementation within defined timescales.
• Ensure and/or maintain effective data management (data capture) systems to support the Trust's health and safety function.
• Provide advice to directors, managers, and staff on all aspects of effective health and safety management issues, legislative implications, etc., and assist them to systematically identify hazards, assess risk and develop strategies to manage them.
• Identify Trust staff and management training needs and advise and assist the Trust in ensuring these needs are met.
• Deliver health and safety management training in accordance with the Trust's Education, Training and Development Programme.
• The post holder will be a core member of Trust Health and Safety Forum and/or Working Group as necessary and will present papers or reports as appropriate (either as the author or delegate).

Communication Responsibilities

• Co‑ordinate information, briefing and instruction across the Trust on health and safety management obligations and the responsibilities of staff and managers.
• In liaison with line managers, the Head of Education and Directors promote and, where appropriate, participate in programmes to raise safety consciousness at all levels.
• Provide information about accident prevention techniques and prepare visual aids, posters, etc. for display as part of awareness campaigns.
• Liaise with the Patient Safety Team to undertake Serious Incident investigations.
• Liaise with the Patient Safety Team to resolve any Central Alerting Notes relating to Health and Safety issues.
• Liaise with the Trust Legal Team to investigate claims related to Health and Safety incidents.
• Take minutes of relevant Health & Safety Forum and, when required, Health and Safety Management Group.
• Assist managers to update staff, as appropriate, on general and specific matters affecting health and safety, and security management associated with the Trust's work.

Analytical and Planning Responsibilities

• Ensure all Health and Safety incidents are reported, recorded, investigated and managed via the Trust risk management systems.
• Apply the principles for Risk Assessment under the Trust Health and Safety Policy and Risk Management Policy.
• Ensure all Trust premises have been risk assessed at least annually, by formulating work plans and developing reporting structures (electronic and paper based) that give the Trust Board assurance of compliance.
• Set up (or maintain agreed) systems and procedures to provide detailed analysis of incidents in order to identify trends and steps necessary to reduce harm.
• Analyse the Trusts Datix reporting system, investigate and seek themes associated to H&S matters in order to target learning and improvements.
• Be responsible for ensuring effective governance systems in own area of responsibility and throughout the Trust.
• Manage relevant staff, systems, processes and controls to ensure accountability, probity and compliance with external legislation and internal governance; contribute to improvements in governance processes within the division.

About the Trust

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population. Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative. We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Selection and AI Policy

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values. Please be advised that the use of AI in applications is monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn’t accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.