Health and Safety Officer

JOB PROFILE

I. IDENTIFYING FACTS

Post Title: Health and Safety Officer
Responsible to: Head of Human Resources

II. JOB PURPOSE

To work as part of the corporate health and safety team supporting the Senior Health and
Safety Officer to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the Council’s employees, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public who might be affected by its activities.

Working alongside the management team to deliver expert H&S advice and training in the completion of risk assessments and other H&S legislative requirements.

Support the provisions of effective monitoring and support, including maintenance and updating the Council’s health and safety management system, providing management information and expert knowledge and skills to generate and promote a positive health and safety culture within Dover District Council.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Maintain a sound knowledge of health and safety legislation, guidance etc. Liaise, consult and provide reliable and accurate information to employees, managers, stakeholders, and Councillors.

2. Undertake the required Continued Professional Development.
3. To review reports of accidents, near misses, work-related ill health, and incidents of violence at work; investigate any significant health and safety failures and report on the findings. Liaise with enforcing authorities as required on behalf of the Authority in the reporting of accidents/incidents/dangerous occurrences under RIDDOR to the
Health and Safety Executive.

4. To support managers and team leaders to ensure departmental risk assessments are robust, and to undertake planned and ad-hoc audits, inspections, and monitoring activities across the full breadth of the council’s operations and activities, to ensure that those risk assessments are being suitably communicated and implemented.

5. To work with Heads of Service and Managers to provide advice and support for the completion of complex risk assessments, offering recommendations as appropriate.

6. Continually review the online health and safety systems which are implemented in the council.

7. Provide advice and guidance on Health & Safety, Fire Safety and First Aid.
8. To promote a positive safety culture, and to prepare internal health and safety communications on areas required.
9. Assist in the departmental performance monitoring and statistical return process by ensuring all relevant data is collected, collated, and reported in a timely and accurate manner.

10. Support the Senior Health and Safety Officer in the development and review of policies, strategies and procedures relating to corporate health and safety.

11. Provide advice as required to enquiries relating to all aspects of the Corporate Safety role, in accordance with GDPR.

12. Respond to corporate health and safety-related service requests in a timely manner and carry out all investigations/inspections in accordance with relevant legislation, guidance, policies, and procedures. Make full use of the computer database for recording details of visits, conversations, observations, actions etc.

13. Act responsibly within the working environment, evaluating risks and adhering to safe working practices. Report hazards, incidents, and accidents so that reasonably practicable measures are taken in the workplace.

14. Promote and adhere to the workplace values of our Council.
15. Any other reasonable duties that may be required from time to time including attending planned visits/inspections/meetings outside normal office hours as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Area Definition
Technical Experience working in a safety role within an organisation (E)
Professional Experience in providing support and advice in a functionally diverse organisation (E)
- Have experience in assessing risk and recommending practical responses and control measures, and can develop and undertake health and safety audits, inspections and monitoring activities (E)
- Recent experience in investigating accidents and dangerous occurrences (E)

Knowledge Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety law and practice (E)
- Knowledge of a good range of preventative and promotional health and safety measures(D)

Qualifications NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent (E)
- Membership of a relevant professional body (D)
- Additional relevant technical qualification (D)
- Full driving license (E)

Communication
- Listens to others
- Is approachable
- Appreciates the views of others
- Communicates information in a way that is understood

Managing/Accepting Change
- Participates in planning the implementation of change initiatives in the team
- Suggests potential improvements in work practices
- Reacts positively and flexibly to change
- Explains reasons for change to internal and external customers

Teamwork and Recognition
- Is focused on the achievement of team objectives
- Respects different views, values, and opinions
- Participates as a team player
- Encourages and supports other team member