Health and Safety Advisor

The aim of this post is to assist the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) Head of Health and Safety in providing a high level of competent advice to the Director of the LMB. You will support cutting-edge science by monitoring and advising on health, safety and regulatory compliance issues, specifically working with LMB members and other stakeholders. The function of the role is to ensure the safe working environment at Ares, MRS and the main LMB building.

It is essential that all members of the Health and Safety Department have the competence and flexibility to support the wider departmental function. In order to achieve this, Safety Advisors will be expected to work as both generalist and specialist advisors, leading on one of four key topic areas.

**Main duties & key responsibilities**:
To act as a Generalist H&S Advisor:

- To provide highly competent Health and Safety advice to a wide range of key stakeholders on a wide range of topics.
- To create and sustain productive relationships with the research staff and use a pragmatic approach to health and safety, whilst ensuring standards and supporting research.
- To plan and prioritise work autonomously and assist other members of the team to plan their work accordingly.
- To work with the Head of Health and Safety to devise and deliver the H&S strategy. To identify, lead on, plan and own strategies and associated plans within your responsible topic areas.
- To produce reports and action plans and to subsequently sensitively negotiate necessary actions.
- To champion and represent the Health and Safety Department and the Head of Health and Safety, as directed, including attending relevant meetings.
- To liaise with external regulatory bodies on behalf of the Head of Health and Safety and to ensure any actions are dealt with in a timely manner.
- To work collaboratively with other support services to deliver integrated and efficient support.
- To conduct and lead (in collaboration with others) on health and safety inspections, audits and evaluate working practices.
- To lead on accident investigations ensuring root causes are identified, that lessons are learnt and that appropriate measures are implemented in a timely manner.
- To be a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
- To be empowered by the Director, through the Head of Health and Safety to deal with issues of breaches of compliance and imminent danger (to life and/or property).

To act as the lead Advisor on Fire and Facilities:

- To lead on the production of health and safety policies, procedures, guidance notes and documentation and to negotiate and oversee their introduction and implementation, as part of the process of continual improvement. This will include contributing information and guidance for the Health and Safety webpages and setting strategic direction (in consultation with the Head of Health and Safety) for the specific topic areas.
- To remain abreast of current and emerging technical and professional aspects of health and safety to maintain an appropriate level of personal awareness and knowledge.
- To provide verbal and written reports of assurance to senior management, as required, which are tailored to the audience, allowing for a wide distribution.
- To determine and manage a programme (with support from the Head of Health and Safety) of methods for continual improvement within the primary topic area.
- To ensure compliance with specific reporting and record keeping requirements in relation to statutory and regulatory requirements.
- To establish and maintain Health and Safety systems of assurance and compliance for specialist topic area.
- To work collaboratively to ensure any risks are appropriately controlled.
- To undertake risk assessments or advise other assessors.

**Working relationships**:
You will report to the Head of Health and Safety. You will work alongside members of the Health and Safety team, research staff, other infrastructure groups (particularly Estates and Facilities and Lab Services), external statutory and other organisations.
- Person Specification
- **Education / qualifications / training required**:

- Essential:_
- NEBOSH Level 3 General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent qualification eg NEBOSH General Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management or Construction Health and Safety.
- A degree or equivalent experience.
- Desirable:_
- Technical membership of an appropriate professional body eg Health and Safety and/or fire safety.
- NEBOSH Level 4 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent qualification or experience or working towards completion.

**Previous work experience required**:

- Essential:_
- Experience of Health and Safety/fire safety management systems.
- Experience of working within a Health and Safety/fire safety role at an organisational level including experience within an academic or research environment.
- Experience of accident/incident investigation and root-cause ana