EHS Specialist

DPS Group Global; Athlone; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DPS Group Global is seeking an EHSS Specialist to provide expert health and safety support across construction, installation, commissioning, qualification and start-up activities for new facilities and equipment. The role emphasizes proactive risk management, contractor engagement, and readiness verification in Irish compliance frameworks.

The successful candidate will have a strong field presence, lead safety investigations, and support safety training across project teams, ensuring safe

Qualifications

• Degree in Occupational Health & Safety or related discipline.
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification.
• Strong understanding of construction and commissioning safety principles.

Responsibilities

• Provide dedicated EHSS support to capital projects and equipment installations.
• Ensure compliance with Construction Safety Requirements and Commissioning Safety Standards.
• Monitor PSDP and PSCS compliance and review RAMS.
• Lead construction safety inspections, audits and contractor safety reviews.
• Lead investigations into incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions.
• Support commissioning and start-up safety training programmes.

Skills

Safety leadership

RAMS review

Contractor management

Incident investigation

Education

Degree in Occupational Health & Safety or related field

Recognised Health & Safety qualification

Job description

EHSS Specialist (Construction & Commissioning Safety)

Position Summary

The EHSS Specialist Construction & Commissioning Safety is responsible for providing specialist health and safety support during the construction, installation, commissioning, qualification and start-up of new facilities, utilities, manufacturing equipment and infrastructure projects. The role acts as the EHSS Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting project managers, engineering teams, commissioning teams and contractors to ensure all project activities are executed safely and in compliance with applicable legislation, Company Construction Safety Requirements, and Commissioning Safety Requirements. The position will have a strong field presence and focus on the prevention of serious injuries and fatalities through proactive risk management, contractor engagement and operational readiness verification.

Key Responsibilities

Construction Safety Management

• Provide dedicated EHSS support to capital projects, facility expansions, utility upgrades and equipment installation projects.
• Ensure compliance with Construction Safety Management and Construction Safety Requirements standards and Commissioning Safety Standards.
• Monitor compliance of PSDP and PSCS.
• Review and approve contractor Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
• Lead construction safety inspections, audits and contractor safety reviews.
• Monitor contractor performance against project safety requirements.
• Conduct leadership safety walks and field observations.
• Ensure effective management of high-risk construction activities.
• Lead investigations into incidents, near misses and unsafe conditions.
• Support development of commissioning and start-up safety training programmes.
• Ensure compliance with Irish Health & Safety legislation, Construction Regulations, Environmental requirements, Corporate EHSS standards and Project safety management plans.

Commissioning & Start-Up Safety

• Act as Client EHSS lead during equipment commissioning and facility start-up.
• Ensure compliance with Commissioning Safety Requirements.
• Participate in commissioning planning and readiness reviews.
• Conduct EHSS reviews of commissioning procedures and execution plans.
• Provide support during energisation and functional testing activities.
• Monitor commissioning activities involving hazardous energy and process introductions.
• Support safe transition from construction to operational phases.
• Client EHSS participation in PSSR activities.
• Verify training and competency requirements are completed for operational teams.
• Provide oversight of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) programmes.
• Review permit-to-work controls during construction and commissioning phases.

Qualifications / Experience

• Degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Engineering, Environmental Science or related technical discipline.
• Recognised Health & Safety qualification.
• Strong understanding of construction and commissioning safety principles.

Desirable

• ISO 140001 / ISO 45001 Internal or Lead Auditor qualification.
• PSDP / PSCS awareness training.

Experience

Essential

• 5+ years' EHSS experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, chemical or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting construction projects and contractor management.
• Experience supporting equipment commissioning and start-up activities.

Desirable

• Experience with CQV (Commissioning, Qualification and Validation) programmes.
• Experience leading Pre-Startup Safety Reviews.
• Experience with utilities, process equipment and building systems commissioning