Health and Safety Officer
Job Description
Job summary
The purpose of this role is to provide Health, Safety and Security Management advice and support to:
- The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, and
- Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.
This role will provide expert advice, support, and management on all aspects of Health, Safety, Security Management, and monitor both Trusts status, in regard to compliance with safety legislation.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Main duties of the job
Working as the Health and Safety Officer, across both Trusts, you will look at all aspects of health and safety including dealing with hazardous substances, violence and abusive behaviour, lone working and application of health and safety law related to the safety and well being of visitors and contractors.
Whilst primarily based at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, the role will include travelling and working across all Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust sites.
About us
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.
Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be required to understand the differing needs of patients treated by staff across the Trust, including those with cognitive or physical disabilities, challenging behaviours and complex needs.
Delivering and receiving complex, highly sensitive, or contentious information that requires a high level of expertise in persuasive communication, motivational techniques, negotiation, training, empathy, or reassurance. This may be necessary in situations where gaining agreement or cooperation is essential, or when there are obstacles to understanding that need to be overcome. The process may also involve addressing a group of staff, where presenting such intricate, sensitive, or contentious information in a clear and effective manner is crucial to ensure understanding and minimise potential conflict or misunderstanding.
Support the Trusts Health and Safety Team in implementing a robust Health and Safety Strategy that underpins the Trusts Governance arrangements and meets external HSE and HTM requirements.
To provide advice and guidance to staff and managers on content of policies, procedures and legal regulations associated with health and safety, under supervision of the Health & Safety Manager. Support the Health & Safety Team as required in providing advice and support to managers and staff.
Participate in the Trusts work relating to external accreditation processes including the Care Quality Commission Inspections (CQC) and other initiatives as required by external stakeholders (e.g., Health and Safety Executive, etc.)
The information gathered and delivered during training sessions will be based on national standards, at times complicated, and will often be questioned and challenged. The advice given to managers and staff may be sensitive and contentious and may be unwelcome. The post holder will be required to use strong influencing and interpersonal skills to gain commitment and understanding from trainees/ managers, as the jobholder has no direct authority over others.
Participate in relevant Trust meetings and Committees, providing advice as appropriate and leading or supporting any resulting initiatives / actions.
Respond to day-to-day Health and Safety issues and inform the Health and Safety Lead of significant issues that require escalation.
Undertake Health and Safety inspections and audits in accordance with the agreed work programme. Prepare reports including recommendations for improvement for Management action. Monitor any resulting action plans to full completion as part of the H&S Compliance Review.
Possessing a thorough understanding of health and safety procedures and practices that require specialised expertise in the field, supported by both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in managing safety regulations, risk assessments, and compliance standards.
Understanding and implementing COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessments.
Keep up to date with Health and Safety legislation/management and governance issues in general via an accredited process of continuous professional development (CPD).
The post holder will be required to undertake complex incident investigations to determine the root cause of any incidents that fall under the reporting requirements of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
This will include assessing the incident to determine its impact of any other staff/patients and advise any improvements required in terms of different ways or working or replacement of equipment. The post holder will be required (frequently) to report RIDDOR reportable incidents to The Health and Safey Executive (HSE) on their own with no supervision.Ensure that RIDDOR reports are submitted to the Health and Safety Executive within prescribed timescales.
The post holder will, in the course of normal duty, be required to make recommendations on areas of non-compliance with the Trusts Health and Safety policies and procedures or compliance with Health and Safety legislation and guidance.
Provides general non-clinical advice, information, guidance, or support services directly to patients, service users, families, or carers within the Trust.
The post holder will be required to promote actions identified and undertaken to decrease the risk of health and safety related incidents occurring and to improve outcomes in relation to patient, staff and visitor safety.
Post holder will be required to provide practical health and safety training to all levels of Trust staff.
Deliver the Trust Health and Safety Induction session and participate in the delivery of the Trusts mandatory training programmes as required, i.e. conflict resolution.
Design, deliver, evaluate and keep under review the Trusts Health and Safety training programme.
The post holder will be required to prepare reports, accurate minutes, and chair reports for the Health and Safety Working Group and Meeting.
Promote the development and implementation of H&S specific risk assessment processes across the Trust, which align fully with the both the Health and Safety Policy and Trusts Risk Management Policy.
The post holder will be responsible for devising, implementing and undertaking various audits/surveys and workplace inspections, across both Trusts, to ensure health and safety related matters are embedded as part of Trust culture, and that each Trust are achieving compliance, and advising where action needs to be taken.
Ensure all new legislation is researched where it affects both Trusts and draw up development plans to ensure active implementation within the given timescales to ensure compliance.
To support senior management as part of the overall approach of risk reduction for both Trusts and their partner agencies.
To implement the variety of both Trusts health and safety policies and provide expert guidance and training on all aspects of health, safety and welfare matters to all staff and volunteers.
To provide specialist advice to managers in delivering the risk assessment / risk control processes required by health and safety legislation and the status of risks via the risk register through provision of professional advice.
There is a requirement for the post holder to attend any accident/incident or audit/ inspection of Trust property. Due to the nature of the post, the post holder will be required to walk from base to any area of the site on a daily basis, including from time-to-time roof tops, plant rooms, underground ducts, etc. to fulfil normal duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified to degree level in Occupational Safety and Health or ...
