Health and Safety Advisor (The James Hutton Institute)

The James Hutton Institute HSQE department have an excellent opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic Health and Safety professional to join our team. The Health, Safety, Quality & Environment (HSQE) team is responsible for coordinating the operations of the Institute’s Management Systems and providing effective support, advice and guidance to management and staff.

The ideal candidate will require knowledge and experience across a range of health, safety and environmental topics and will be a strong and effective communicator, able to guide and influence people and effectively promote compliance and a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly workplace.

The post will be based at our Invergowrie site near Dundee, however the remit of this post covers all sites and work locations therefore the postholder will be expected to travel to different Institute sites on a regular basis.

Main Duties of Postholder

Support managers and staff through the review/undertaking of risk assessments, method statements etc across a range of subject areas – laboratories (COSHH), Farm and agricultural operations and estate/facility maintenance activities, ensuring operations are adequately assessed and control measures implemented
Regularly inspect Institute buildings and laboratories, plant, equipment and work vehicles to ensure adequate standards are maintained in order to minimise health, safety and environmental risk and implement remedial action as required
Advise on the H&S management of contractors
Perform and participate in workplace audits to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and Institute H&S procedures and implement remedial action as required
Work collaboratively with laboratory research, estate maintenance and Farm Field staff on a day-to-day basis to ensure safe working practices and conditions
Develop, implement and improve processes, procedures and safe systems of work
Support the operation and maintenance of the institutes Management systems in line with requirements, best practice and strive for continual improvement
Contribute to the ongoing review and revision of Institute H&S policy and procedures
Develop and deliver H&S training to employees
investigate accidents, injuries, dangerous occurrences, near misses and work-related ill health
Ensure appropriate emergency preparedness arrangements are in place
Support staff in the control, safe use and storage of a wide range of chemicals and gases
Co-ordinate arrangements for disposal of chemical and biological waste on the Invergowrie site and farms
Assist in the Development and communication of appropriate guidance for all staff and site visitors
Exercise authority to stop a process or activity which is assessed as likely to cause serious harm
Monitor H&S performance both reactively and proactively
Work collaboratively with team members to achieve team objectives
Deputise for other team members as and required
Deputise for Head of Department as and when required
Education/Experience/Skills

Essential

Minimum of NEBOSH national general certificate in Health and Safety or equivalent professional qualification
Experience implementing compliance with Health and Safety legislation, associated guidance and Approved Codes of Practice particularly the:
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Control of Asbestos Regulations
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations
Control of Noise at Work Regulations
Working at Height Regulations
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
Essential Skills

Experience developing and delivering H&S training
Working knowledge of ISO management systems
Effective written communication skills
IT skills: proficient in use of Microsoft Office software e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Interpersonal skills:

Ability to build effective working relationships with a wide range of people
Ability to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change
An approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy
Driven to achieve continual improvement in H&S performance
Verbal communication:

Confident public speaker
Ability to deliver presentations and training in a variety of styles in order to get the appropriate message across
Planning and organisation:

Ability to manage own time effectively
Ability to think and plan ahead in order to achieve objectives considering all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines and resources
Resilience:

Ability to sustain personal effectiveness and performance in the face of pressure, changing/conflicting priorities and difficult situations/ people
Ability to drive change in the face of resistance or set back’s
Flexibility:

Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and issues
Ability to drive and adapt to changes in your own job requirements
Ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives on an issue and to adopt a flexible approach to situations, individuals or groups
Desirable Qualifications/Skills/Experience

H&S Auditor qualification
Working knowledge of environmental management and hazards
Working knowledge of CDM 2015
Working Knowledge of Fire Safety regulations
Working knowledge of occupational hygiene
Experience in using SharePoint