Senior H&S Advisor

Houlihan & Co (Excavations) Ltd; Essex; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Houlihan & Co is seeking a Senior Health & Safety Advisor to promote high standards across live site projects in Essex and Kent. The role combines regular site visits with office work, driving compliance and practical safety improvements on groundworks and civil works.

You will challenge unsafe practices, lead investigations, and help develop a proactive safety culture while coordinating with site teams and clients. A driving licence and willingness to travel are essential.

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate is essential.
• NEBOSH Diploma or working towards one preferred.
• CSCS card required for on-site access.
• Temporary Works Coordinator/Supervisor training desirable.
• Confined spaces training desirable.
• Senior H&S experience in civil engineering/groundworks highly relevant.
• Strong knowledge of CDM 2015 and site risk management.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel between Essex/Kent sites.

Responsibilities

• Carry out regular site inspections and audits with practical recommendations.
• Support compliance with CDM 2015, RIDDOR, LOLER and PUWER and client requirements.
• Review RAMS and lift plans to ensure suitability and practicality.
• Provide competent advice on high‑risk groundworks operations.
• Assist with accidents, investigations, root cause analysis and RIDDOR reporting.
• Deliver toolbox talks and inductions and identify training needs.
• Support maintenance and continuous improvement of the H&S management system.
• Monitor legislation changes and advise on practical implications.
• Assist with tenders, PQQs and SSIP submissions (CHAS, Constructionline, SafeContractor).
• Build strong relationships with site teams and clients to promote safety ownership.
• Foster a proactive safety culture across projects.

Skills

Site inspections

Risk assessments

Incident investigations

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

NEBOSH Construction Certificate

NEBOSH Diploma (preferred)

CSCS card

Tools

CDM 2015

HSE management system

Job description

Senior Health & Safety Advisor

Houlihan & Co | Civil Engineering & Groundworks

Location: Essex & Kent

Salary: £50,000-£60,000 + package

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Reports to: Head of Health & Safety

About Houlihan & Co

Houlihan & Co is a growing UK civil engineering business delivering groundworks packages for main contractors across the South East. Our projects span residential and infrastructure schemes, including substructures, drainage, roads and sewers, and external works.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, you'll play a key role in promoting and maintaining high standards across our live projects throughout Essex and Kent.

This is a hands‑on, site‑focused role combining regular site visits and inspections with office‑based work. You'll work closely with site managers, supervisors, operatives and our clients' H&S teams to ensure compliance, identify risks and drive practical improvements.

We're looking for someone who is confident challenging unsafe practices, builds credibility with the workforce and understands the realities of delivering safe, productive groundworks operations.

You'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact across the business, supporting our teams while helping to develop a positive, proactive safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out regular site inspections and audits, identifying areas for improvement and providing clear, practical recommendations to the Head of Health & Safety.
• Support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, including CDM 2015, RIDDOR, LOLER and PUWER, alongside client‑specific requirements.
• Review RAMS, task briefings and lift plans to ensure they are suitable, practical and appropriate for the activities being undertaken.
• Provide competent advice on high‑risk groundworks operations, including excavations, temporary works, plant‑people interface, underground services, confined spaces and lifting operations.
• Assist with accident and incident investigations, root cause analysis and RIDDOR reporting, helping to identify and implement effective preventative measures.
• Deliver toolbox talks and inductions, identify training needs and promote safe working practices across the workforce.
• Support the Head of Health & Safety in maintaining and continually improving the company's H&S management system, policies and procedures.
• Monitor changes in legislation, regulations and industry best practice, advising the business on their practical implications.
• Assist with tenders, pre‑qualification questionnaires and SSIP accreditation submissions, including CHAS, Constructionline and SafeContractor.
• Build strong working relationships with site teams and clients, encouraging ownership of health and safety at every level.
• Promote a positive, proactive safety culture, helping to embed continuous improvement across all projects.

What We're Looking For

Qualifications

• NEBOSH Construction Certificate as a minimum.
• NEBOSH Diploma, or currently working towards one, preferred.
• Valid CSCS card.
• Temporary Works Coordinator or Supervisor training/qualification desirable.
• Confined spaces training desirable.

Experience and Skills

• Proven experience in a senior health and safety role, ideally within civil engineering or groundworks, with exposure to residential and infrastructure projects.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015 and the risks associated with groundworks operations.
• Practical experience of site inspections, risk assessments, method statements and incident investigations.
• Confident communication and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge unsafe practices constructively and build strong relationships across site teams.
• A proactive, practical approach to problem‑solving, with the confidence to work independently and
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between sites across Essex and Kent.

Join Houlihan & Co and play a key role in supporting our growth, strengthening our safety standards and helping ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the working day