Health & Safety Advisor | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Southend University Hospital NHS Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in England is looking for a Health and Safety Advisor. The role involves managing health and safety compliance, conducting training sessions, and ensuring safety standards are met across the Trust. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience in health and safety management. This full-time position requires a commitment to maintaining a safe environment for staff and patients.

Qualifications

• Experience in health and safety management systems.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act and related legislation.
• Proven ability to conduct safety audits and inspections.

Responsibilities

• Manage health and safety compliance across the Trust.
• Develop and implement safety protocols.
• Conduct safety training for staff.
• Investigate health and safety incidents and report them.

Skills

Health and Safety Management

Risk Assessment

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Training and Development

Education

Relevant qualifications in Health and Safety

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 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 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, workplace 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 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., 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). See Job description.

1. 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 Trust’s work.

2. 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.

See Job description also.

This advert closes on Monday 1 Dec 2025