Health and Safety Advisor

Overall purpose:

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 apply superior problem solving skills to complex matters, taking into account previous experience and knowledge.
• 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 take into consideration underlying MRC and UKRI policy requirements and their application.

To act as the lead Advisor on Fire and Facilities:

• To work autonomously to manage and lead on the specific topic area, providing an expert level of knowledge and acting as the subject matter expert.
• To apply and interpret specialist knowledge in order to give advice in line with relevant legislation, taking into account a range of influencing factors such as business need, legislative requirements and user needs. 
• 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.

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 analysis.
• Experience of developing and delivering Health and Safety training.

Desirable: 
• Experience of managing regulatory compliance visits and inspections.
• Experience of working as a research scientist.

Knowledge and experience: 

Essential: 
• A strong understanding of fire safety and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
• Knowledge and previous experience of carrying out building fire risk assessments and dealing with actions and recommendations arising from such assessments.
• A good understanding of facilities-related safety issues legionella control and the risks associated with building maintenance work working at height, lone/out-of-hours working.
• Knowledge of common laboratory hazards as they relate to fire safety/facilities safety.

Desirable:
• Experience of business continuity and/or crisis management.
• Experience of supervising and supporting staff.
• Experience of committees and committee structures.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities: 

Essential: 
• Good interpersonal and negotiation skills, with an ability to engage collaboratively with staff at all levels and to change style and focus when needed including being supportive and firm but tactful. 
• Demonstrable experience of working in a team and providing a focused approach.
• Ability to organise own time effectively with a flexible approach, undertaking multiple tasks whilst prioritising according to their need.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong presentation and teaching skills and an ability to promote a Health and Safety culture. 
• Demonstrable commitment to continual professional development.

Desirable: 
• Demonstrable ability to handle challenging situations.
• Strong leadership skills.