Title: Health & Safety Advisor

Location: Based out of Belfast City - (The successful candidate will also be required to travel to other NIHE locations in N Ireland)

Rate: £14.38ph to £18.53ph

Work Hours: 37

Work Days: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm

MAIN PURPOSE

 The Corporate Health & Safety Advisors forms part of a Health & Safety Team, comprising both Corporate and Construction Health & Safety, providing Health & Safety training, information and guidance and across the organisation, on Policy and legislative requirements.

 This role fulfils the requirement of a Competent Person as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000 and reports to the Assistant Health & Safety Manager (Corporate).

Our Values

Main Duties

Policies and Procedures

•  To develop and review the required Health and Safety Policies and associated processes in accordance with the Policy development/review process, in particularly consultation, screening and approval processes and to retain accurate records of each stage.
• To promote organisational awareness of Health & Safety Policies and Procedure and to monitor local implementation.

Inspections and Audit

•  To undertake a range of workplace Health & Safety Inspections and to produce and issue associated reports and corrective action plans, using agreed methodologies to ensure organisational compliance with statutory requirements and to positively promote best practice and follow-up to ensure continual improvement in respect of Health & Safety performance throughout the organisation.
• To co-operate with internal and external auditors to support the completion of independent audits on various aspects of the Health & Safety Department’s work activities to ensure the timely provision of accurate information.

 Training

•  To develop, deliver and review the relevant internal health & safety awareness training, in accordance with agreed learning objectives, course evaluations, changes in legislation, guidance and policy & external accreditation requirements.
• To promote attendance at internally delivered health & safety training, including mandatory courses to ensure that Staff are appropriately trained to support future knowledge, skills and behaviours, to facilitate the effective implementation of Policies and Procedures, in line with statutory requirements.

 Information and Support

•  To support relevant staff and line managers with the completion of the risk assessments relevant to their work activities, required to meet statutory requirements including General Health & Safety Management, COSHH, Noise, Manual Handling, Vibration and DSE, New and Expectant Mothers and First Aid.
• To fulfil the requirements of relevant monthly key performance indicators, maintain appropriate records and statistics as appropriate as evidence of compliance with the targets and timescales involved and to provide the relevant information for monthly, quarterly and annual reports and organisational Committees. 
• To make recommendations to line management based on professional judgement and experience relating to dangerous conditions or situations requiring immediate action.
• To advise on the interpretation and application of Health & Safety legislation as applicable to staff, work activities and buildings and any others affected by the NIHE’s undertakings.
• To provide the relevant information to update the Health & Safety section of Gateway, develop relevant articles, Health & Safety Bulletins, Advice Guidance Notes, Alert Notices and features in Safety Matters.
• To participate in the completion of relevant Health & Safety business cases, tender specifications and tender award panels associated with the implementation of associated organisational Policies, as directed by the Assistant Health & Safety Managers.
• To provide Health & Safety advice and guidance to staff and trade union representatives, as required, and to ensure that specialist queries are dealt with appropriately and efficiently to ensure that relevant action is taken.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

•  To ensure that Incident Reports, Incident Investigations and witness statements are compiled and collated in a timely manner in accordance with the Incident Reporting and Investigation Policy and to ensure that relevant action is taken to prevent further similar occurrences.
• To co-ordinate the completion of IR4 incident investigations, as and when required and to collated and retain associated documentation and to develop safety alert notices where appropriate.
• To report the relevant incidents reportable by the Corporate Health & Safety Department to the HSENI under RIDDOR and to cooperate with HSENI and other external statutory organisations in relation to any further investigations, remedial actions to be taken or shared learning opportunities.
• To liaise with the NIHE’s Claim Departments, as required regarding the provision of incident reporting and investigation documentation and to ensure that shared learning is implemented, as appropriate.

Committees and Meetings

•  To attend and present relevant agenda items, as required, at the quarterly Corporate Health & Safety Committees and to liaise with Trade Union Representatives to investigate and resolve any concerns and queries raised as part of the meeting discussions.
• To undertake such other relevant duties commensurate with the nature of the post as may from time to time be required including representing the Health & Safety Department and the Assistant/Health & Safety Managers at meetings, committees or other groups.
• To liaise with the relevant internal departments and external statutory organisations, representing both the Health & Safety Department and the organisation‘s interests as appropriate, in relation to for example RIDDOR reportable incidents.

Professional Development

•  To complete assigned objectives within the required timescales, as detailed in the annual work plans and individual performance plans and to regularly update on progress during team meetings.
• To undertake professional development activities as required to maintain professional body CPD requirements and individual annual performance development plans to develop and maintain health & safety knowledge in the required range of legislation, guidance and best practice relevant to activities associated with the work of NIHE.

 General Responsibilities

• To provide a high level of internal and external service including taking ownership of queries and complaints and following issues through to completion, while ensuring timely escalation to the Assistant Health & Safety Manager (Corporate), when required.
• To ensure continued and effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• To deputise for and to represent the Assistant Health & Safety Manager (Corporate) as required and provide support and cover for the other members of the Corporate Health & Safety team as and when required to ensure resilience as far as practicable
• To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of NIHE.
• To comply with and enforce all NIHE frameworks, policies and procedures, including but not limited to those relating to legal requirements such as equality, health and safety and information governance
• To promote, uphold and implement all NIHE policies, plans and procedures, ensuring policy requirements and timescales are adhered to
• To keep up to date with latest developments in Health and Safety best practice and legislation.
• To direct and signpost managers and officers to the appropriate source for issues outside the remit of this post.
• To undertake any other duties which may be assigned to meet organisational need and the change agenda and which are reasonably regarded as within the nature of the duties, responsibilities and grade of the post as defined above.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Possess a degree or equivalent level qualification (Level 6*) or higher qualification in Occupational Health and Safety.

*Refer to Qualifications Framework for equivalencies

• Can demonstrate 3 years’ relevant experience in a Health & Safety Advisor/Officer role
• Hold membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) at Graduate level (GradIOSH) or above

(Successful candidates should be to demonstrate commitment to undertaking IPD, to facilitate Chartered Membership (CMIOSH) of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) within a 2 year time period)

•  Can demonstrate significant relevant experience in each of the following areas:

 a.    Developing a range of organisational health & safety policies and procedures in line with consultation and screening processes

b.    Reporting and investigating incidents, including RIDDOR reportable and liaising with statutory bodies such as HSENI

c.    Undertaking workplace inspections, writing reports and developing & monitoring completion of associated action plans

d.    Completing a range of Risk Assessments, developing written Safe Systems of Work and Method Statements

e.    Designing and delivering a range of Health & Safety Training

f.     Facilitating organisational forums or developing materials to effectively communicate and disseminate relevant Health & Safety information.

5.    Can demonstrate (To be assessed at interview).

o   Excellent planning and organisational skills;

o   Strong interpersonal and influencing skills

o   Effective oral and written communication skills.

 Candidates may also be assessed against the relevant section of the Housing Executive’s Behavioural Framework.

6.    Possess a current driving licence or have access to a form of transport that will permit the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full.

 Desirable:

1.    Can demonstrate experience within a large complex, multi-site organisation**.

For more information or to discuss in confidence, please contact Stephen Nugent at CSR on 02892627488. Alternatively, to apply, click on the link below.

Crescent Specialist Recruitment (CSR) is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Crescent Specialist Recruitment (CSR) operates as both an Employment Agency and Employment Business on behalf of our clients.