Head of Safety

Make your mark with Colas Rail UK. At Colas Rail, differences matter. Join a team where being your authentic self is respected, encouraged, and vital to our success. At Colas Rail you’ll be at home in an inclusive team with a close-knit, familial culture. You will also have the opportunity to help us transform transportation, set new standards, and dare to be different.

Colas Rail delivers transport solutions for sustainable mobility. We are a leading rail infrastructure business with on-track plant and freight capabilities. As a subsidiary of the Colas Group, we bring over a century of experience in delivering major innovations across our sector. Every day, thousands of trains run on tracks built, designed, or maintained by Colas Rail.

The Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) – OCS is accountable for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an integrated Health, Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Management System across the HS2 Overhead Catenary Systems contract.

The role provides independent HSE leadership at Director level, ensuring that all design, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover activities are delivered in full compliance with:

• HS2 Works Information, including WI 1100 – Health & Safety
• WI 1150 – Occupational Health
• WI 0285 – Environment & Sustainability
• ISO 45001 (Health & Safety)
• ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
• Applicable CDM Regulations and HS2 standards

Acting as the competent authority for HSE, the postholder ensures that:

• Risks are eliminated through design and controlled through delivery
• Health is treated equally to safety (“Safe at Heart”)
• Environmental sustainability and EMR compliance are fully embedded across the lifecycle
• HSE governance, assurance, reporting, and continuous improvement are robust, consistent, and data-driven

Key Accountabilities:

• Delivery of zero harm outcomes across workforce, public and environment
• Full compliance with HS2 Works Information and statutory requirements
• Effective implementation of ISO 45001, ISO 14001, EMRs and Safe at Heart
• Measurable improvement in safety, occupational health and environmental performance
• Robust HSE governance, assurance and reporting across the contract

Qualifications & Professional Membership:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Health & Safety, Environmental Management, Engineering, or related discipline
• Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) or equivalent professional body
• NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Occupational Health & Safety)
• Environmental qualification (e.g. IEMA Practitioner or Chartered Environmentalist) desirable
• Occupational health qualification or demonstrable experience desirable
• IRCA Auditor qualification (or equivalent) desirable
• Chartered status (e.g. CEng, CEnv, or equivalent) desirable

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity, independence and professional courage to challenge non-compliance and poor behaviours
• Strong visible leadership style, with the ability to inspire a “Safe at Heart” culture
• Collaborative and influential across complex stakeholder and supply chain environments
• Proactive, innovative and solutions-focused mindset
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage from site level to senior leadership
• Risk-based thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Resilient and confident operating in high-pressure, complex delivery environments
• Committed to continuous improvement, learning and raising industry standards
• Ability to balance compliance, delivery and practical implementation on live railway/infrastructure works

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish, implement and maintain ISO 45001 Health & Safety Management System; ISO 14001 Environmental Management System; Health Management System aligned to WI 1150
• Ensure certification is achieved within contractual timescales and maintained through surveillance audits
• Develop and maintain Health & Safety Management Plan, Environmental Management Plan, Health Management Plan
• Ensure systems are fully aligned with HS2 Works Information and EMRs and Integrated across design, construction, testing and commissioning
• Ensure HSE requirements and deliverables are embedded within the Accepted Programme

Lead delivery of HS2’s Safe at Heart culture across the contract. Act as the independent HSE authority, providing assurance and challenge to the Project Director and leadership team. Drive behavioural safety and cultural maturity; foster a just, fair and open reporting culture; proactive hazard identification and learning.

Develop and deliver the Health Management Plan. Ensure provision of a SEQOHS-aligned Occupational Health Service. Lead “Health by Design” and “Health by Construction”, including Health Hazard Evaluation and Mitigation Process. Manage and control occupational exposure risks including: Noise, vibration, dust, COSHH and carcinogens. Oversee health surveillance and fitness-for-work; Exposure monitoring and reporting; Fatigue and wellbeing strategies. Ensure compliance with HS2 occupational exposure standards.

Establish and maintain ISO 14001-compliant EMS. Develop and implement the EMP. Ensure compliance with Environmental Minimum Requirements; Code of Construction Practice. Lead environmental risk management including noise, air quality, vibration, water and ecology.

Ensure HSE risks are eliminated or reduced through design. Lead hazard identification, design risk reviews and workshops.

Lead integrated HSE assurance including audits, inspections and compliance reviews. Establish robust HSE data systems ensuring accuracy, consistency and traceability.

Ensure all subcontractors comply with HSE systems and standards. Integrate supply chain into assurance, reporting and governance processes.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Salary
• 26 days Annual Leave
• Industry leading Life Assurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Wellbeing Employee Assistant Programme
• Pension Scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Long Service Award
• Season Ticket Loan

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diversity drives innovation and creativity, and we actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, heard, valued and respected. Regardless of background, disability, age, race, religion, or gender, everyone is welcome at Colas Rail. We strive to promote equity and eliminate discrimination, actively seeking to create a workforce reflective of communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, offering flexible and inclusive adjustments to the interview process. As part of a positive action drive to address under-representation we encourage applications from women, ethnically diverse individuals and people with disabilities, along with all candidates who identify with protected characteristic groups under the Equality Act 2010. We are proudly part of the Disability Confidence Scheme, and as such we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme if you meet the minimum requirements. On joining Colas Rail you’ll have access to our growing Employee Network Groups including Railbow, BeyonDisability and Cross Culture. Everyone is welcome to join our network groups whether you are part of the community or an ally. Work life balance is important to us; flexible working options are available where feasible and dependent on the role. Please discuss this during the interview process. Join us in making a positive impact! Apply and be part of a team that values diversity and embraces unique perspectives.