Health & Safety Advisor

NHS; Basildon; On-site; GBP 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Basildon is searching for a Health & Safety Advisor to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. The ideal candidate will manage safety systems, conduct audits, and provide guidance. Key qualifications include a NEBOSH certification and relevant experience in health and safety management. This role offers a competitive salary of £38,682 per annum. Responsibilities include analyzing incidents, delivering training, and advising on safety standards.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) required.
• Experience of providing expert health and safety advice within a public sector organisation.
• Qualified/experienced Training instructor.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement systems for effective health and safety management.
• Conduct safety audits and ensure compliance with safety standards.
• Provide advice and guidance on health and safety issues.

Skills

NEBOSH General National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Management

Excellent computer IT skills

Ability to develop effective working relationships

Risk assessment

Education

MSc or BSc in Safety management

NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Health & Safety Advisor

The closing date is 01 December 2025

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 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.

Main duties of the job

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.

Job responsibilities

Be the competent person for the management of Health and Safety fulfilling the Trusts 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.

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 analyse health and safety incidents to advise on the development and implementation of safe systems of work. The post holder will investigate and ensure that accidents reportable under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) are identified, fully investigated and reported 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 to:

• Assess the risks present in a specific work area, work place or process to identify unsafe working conditions and practices
• Make recommendations to remedy any defects found
• Ensure any recommendations made are acted upon (schedule, review and record recommendations)
• Ensure safety inspections of premises, (to include housekeeping standards, compliance with formal safety standards, environmental and ergonomic controls.) are conducted and completed in line with 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 area of work. Develop annual action plans relevant to area of work and be responsible for implementation within defined timescales.

Ensure and/or maintain effective data management (Data capture) systems to support the Trusts health and safety function. Provide advice to directors, managers, and staff on all aspects of effective health and safety management issues, legislative implications etc., 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 Trusts 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

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. The post holder will liaise with the Patient Safety Team to undertake Serious Incident investigations. The post holder will liaise with the Patient Safety Team to resolve any Central Alerting Notes relating to Health and Safety issues. The post holder will 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 Trusts work.

Analytical and Planning

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 will 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, investigation and seek themes associated to H&S matters in order to target learning and improvements. Be responsible to 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NEBOSH General National (UK) Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety Management or equivalent experience (or working towards with strong previous experience).
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
• MSc BA or BSc in Safety management or associated degree with safe management of people moving handling etc (Must be attained accredited from UK University and resident in UK while studying to attain) the above.
• NEBOSH National (UK) Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management.
• Member of a relevant professional body such as IOSH at Tech/grad level.
• Qualified/experienced Training instructor.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to undertake inspections within, wards, plant rooms and roof areas (may involve fixed ladder access etc).
• Ability to travel between MSE sites.

Communication Skills

• Develop and deliver Safety training programmes to all levels of staff members within the Trust.
• Excellent computer IT skills and database skills.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with colleagues and the public.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of Health and Safety providing expert advice and knowledge to an NHS Trust Board (or similar public sector organisation) and operational staff across departmental boundaries on Health safety, risk management, health and safety legislation and codes of practice and safety training.
• Ability to carry out safety, inspections audits and risk assessments including in clinical environment.
• Develop and deliver Safety training programmes to all levels of staff members within the Trust.
• Ability to make judgments and apply provisions of highly complex legislation, Health and Safety ACOPS documents and other associated guidance for the benefit of the Trust.
• A Tech. Grad Member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
• Knowledge of CQC requirements related to Health and Safety.
• Attended auditor / lead auditor ISO courses and attained certification of competence.

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.

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time)