Health and Safety Advisor (Birmingham City University)

Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study right in the heart of the city and we currently have an exciting opportunity for a Health and Safety Advisor to join our dynamic team.

Reporting directly to the University’s Health and Safety Manager, we are looking for an energetic and experienced Health and Safety Advisor to support the University’s Health and Safety Department and wider University operations. The successful candidates’ focus will be on providing competent health, safety, and welfare advice to all staff to ensure that effective health and safety management is embedded across the University.

Health and Safety Advisor Responsibilities:

• Provide competent health, safety and welfare advice to all levels of management, staff and colleagues.
• Contribute to the preparation and development of policies, procedures and practices to ensure compliance with current legislation, adapt to University needs and priorities and simplify and streamline processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute to projects such as the development of policy and guidance, fire safety initiatives, wellbeing campaigns and other relevant projects related to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Actively participate in relevant departmental and Faculty meetings. Provide advice and guidance on health, safety and welfare matters. Submit and present reports as required. Support Faculty and departmental Health and Safety Co-ordinators.
• Work proactively with HR colleagues to monitor and analyse levels of and reasons for sickness absence in order to identify and address potential work-related causes.
• Lead the University’s health and safety clinic programme, provide advice and maintain a record of attendance with concise notes.
• Lead on the overall day to day management and upgrades of the University’s health and safety incident management system.
• Work with University managers to implement risk management and safety processes and control and mitigate risks. Engage with ‘risk owners’ to support their progress of relevant risks through adequate action plans. Where appropriate, escalate examples of non-compliance or inaction to the Manager for the relevant area and the University’s Health and Safety Manager.
• Support the health and safety department with conducting fire risk assessments, managing findings and producing robust reports.
• Assist managers in the assessments of risks relating to activities under their control and support them to identify appropriate control measures.
• Undertake monitoring activities and audits of University workplaces and practices. Produce action plans with managers to ensure compliance with University standards, legal requirements and safe working practices. Assist in implementing corrective work in areas covered in risk assessments.
• Ensure procedures for reporting incidents is widely understood and followed throughout the University. Input and update incident reports as needed. Analyse incident reports to identify patterns, trends and causes for concern and seek to discover root causes. Work with departmental managers to address concerns and underlying causes by influencing behaviours and assisting with corrective actions.
• Carry out investigation of incidents. Produce investigation reports to an agreed standard. Draft and agree action plans to address findings of investigations.
• Ensure incidents are reported in a timely fashion to appropriate external bodies e.g. the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in compliance with RIDDOR – Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of new areas of best practice, legislation and regulations which relate to risk management and occupational health, safety and welfare.
• Liaise with colleagues in Estates and Facilities and contribute to design and site progress meetings to ensure that all new developments and refurbishments meet regulations and policy
• Identify training needs relating to health, safety and welfare. Deliver advisory sessions and contribute to design and delivery of training.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant professional qualification such as NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent. *Exceptional Certificate level holders will be considered.
• Graduate member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (Grad IOSH).
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety legislation including COSHH, PUWER and CDM.
• Experience of working to ISO 45001.
• Experience in emergency planning and business continuity for large and complex organisations.
• Evidence of robust auditing techniques and report writing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in order to work with, advise and promote good health and safety practice amongst health and safety team members, staff and students.
• Strong and effective IT skills with confidence in the use and application of IT solutions to reduce bureaucracy and promote effective working.

Able to demonstrate:

• Ability to focus on solutions, not just compliance, and understand the bigger picture.
• Exceptional organisational skills with ability to manage competing demands, deliver substantial programmes of work and meet deadlines.
• Integrity through commitment to the health and safety profession.
• Ability to design and deliver presentations, advisory sessions and training interventions to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions.

Special Requirements:

• Able to undertake duties at different premises including any University campus as required.
• Will be required to access all areas of University buildings to carry out inspections.
• Additional travel may be necessary from time to time in order to attend conferences and events and effectively represent the University in key professional networks.
• May be required to work outside normal office hours to support business continuity, University events and activities, respond to incidents or meet other service needs.