Rail Operative

Heidelberg Materials UK; Frome; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Heidelberg Materials UK is seeking a Rail Operative to join our safety‑minded, hands‑on operations team. You’ll help keep rail loading activities running safely and efficiently across our busy site.

Key duties include operating and supervising mobile and fixed plant, inspecting wagons, loading trains, keeping accurate records, and supporting risk assessments and method statements while coordinating with colleagues, contractors and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Strong health and safety focus preferred.
• Reliability, proactive attitude and excellent timekeeping are essential.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on operational environment.
• Ability to follow procedures and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Safely operating and supervising mobile and static plant, including rail load-out equipment and weighbridges.
• Receiving, storing and loading trains and wagons in line with site procedures.
• Visually inspecting wagons as they enter and leave the site.
• Monitoring rail infrastructure, freight, plant and associated equipment to identify potential issues.
• Carrying out routine inspections and minor maintenance activities.
• Maintaining accurate operational, inspection and maintenance records.
• Ensuring plant and rail assets are kept clean, safe and in good working order.
• Completing general cleaning, housekeeping and the safe clearance of plant spillages.
• Reporting accidents, near misses, hazards and equipment issues promptly.
• Supporting the completion of risk assessments and method statements.
• Supervising employees and contractors during rail activities when required.
• Using site resources safely, efficiently and effectively.

Skills

Health and safety focus

Reliability

Timekeeping

Teamwork

Communication

Hands-on operations

Rail plant operation experience

Education

EPIC and/or NVQ in mobile/static plant operation

Safety Track Passport

Job description

Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) is one of the UK's largest suppliers of construction materials, employing over 4,000 people and operating around 300 manufacturing sites in the UK.

We are committed to building a more sustainable future and recognise that a diverse workforce is vital to our growth and advancement. We aim to promote a culture that values openness, transparency and individual achievement.

At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.

Rail Operative

Are you safety-focused, hands-on and looking for a role where you can take real responsibility for keeping a busy rail operation running safely and efficiently?

We're looking for a proactive and reliable Rail Operative to join our team. This is a varied operational role where you'll work with both mobile and fixed plant, support rail loading activities and help ensure materials are handled safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.

You'll play an important part in the day-to-day running of the site, working closely with colleagues, contractors and suppliers while maintaining high standards of health, safety and housekeeping.

What You'll Be Doing

• Safely operating and supervising mobile and static plant, including rail load-out equipment and rail weighbridges
• Receiving, storing and loading trains and wagons in line with site procedures
• Visually inspecting wagons as they enter and leave the site
• Monitoring rail infrastructure, freight, plant and associated equipment to identify potential issues
• Carrying out routine inspections and minor maintenance activities
• Maintaining accurate operational, inspection and maintenance records
• Ensuring plant and rail assets are kept clean, safe and in good working order
• Completing general cleaning, housekeeping and the safe clearance of plant spillages
• Reporting accidents, near misses, hazards and equipment issues promptly
• Supporting the completion of risk assessments and method statements
• Supervising employees and contractors during rail activities when required
• Using site resources safely, efficiently and effectively

Safety comes first

Safety is at the heart of this role. You'll be responsible for working in line with our Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental procedures, while helping to maintain a safe working environment for everyone operating within the rail area.

We're looking for someone who is confident speaking up about safety, can identify potential hazards and takes a proactive approach to resolving issues.

What We're Looking For

• Have a strong health and safety focus
• Are reliable, proactive and have excellent timekeeping
• Can work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Have good communication and organisational skills
• Are comfortable working in a hands-on operational environment
• Can follow procedures and maintain accurate records
• Are willing to undertake training and assessments to maintain and develop your operational competencies
• Previous experience operating mobile or static plant within a rail, quarry, aggregates, construction or heavy industrial environment would be beneficial.

Qualifications

Ideally, you will hold:

• EPIC and/or an NVQ in mobile/static plant operation
• Safety Track Passport

Relevant experience and transferable competencies may also be considered depending on the requirements of the role.

Why join us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a safety-focused operational team where no two days are exactly the same. You'll have the opportunity to develop your skills across rail operations, plant and site activities while playing an important role in delivering a safe, reliable and efficient service to our customers.

If you're safety-conscious, dependable and ready for your next challenge in rail operations, we'd love to hear from you.