Utilities Health & Safety Lead in Milton Keynes

A little bit about us: East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, which blend beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage with globally renowned centres of education, business, technology and an increasingly dynamic business scene. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.

However, the lack of good East-West transport connections makes it harder for residents to make the most of everything the region has to offer. From faster commutes to days out with friends and family, EWR will make it easier to reach the things that matter most, bringing a range of benefits to communities between Oxford and Cambridge, and across the UK more broadly.

EWR is also one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. EWR is being championed by the Government as a key driver to economic growth leading to a potential £78 Billion boost to the UK economy: supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.

Role Summary: We are seeking a proactive and experienced Utilities Health & Safety Lead to join the Health, Safety and Security team, supporting the safe delivery of a major UK rail infrastructure programme. This is a highly visible, non-desk-based role. You will be actively engaged across multiple utility workstreams, providing expert advice, support, and constructive challenge to ensure that extensive utility diversions, connections, and protection works are planned, coordinated, and delivered safely, collaboratively, and in full compliance with the CDM Regulations 2015.

Working closely with the Utilities project team, designers, statutory undertakers, and delivery partners, you will help manage health and safety risks in a fast-paced environment where design development, assurance, and construction activities frequently overlap. A key focus of the role is the effective management of buried services risk and the interface between differing utility working practices and project standards.

The role requires strong interpersonal skills, sound technical judgement, and the confidence to provide pragmatic, proportionate advice to teams operating under pressure and with competing priorities. You will play a critical role in influencing behaviours, embedding consistent standards, and supporting the safe and efficient delivery of utility works across the programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the implementation and continual improvement of the EWR Co Health, Safety and Security Strategy across all utility and diversion works, ensuring compliance with statutory and programme/project requirements.
• Promote an integrated and consistent approach to health, safety and security across Projects, Utilities, and associated diversion activities, aligning utility working practices with overall project objectives and standards.
• Provide competent, practical advice on the application of CDM Regulations 2015, ensuring duties and responsibilities of the Client, Principal Designer, Designers, Principal Contractor(s) and Contractors are clearly understood, implemented, and evidenced.
• Engage proactively with design and engineering teams to identify, eliminate, or reduce health, safety and security risks at the earliest design stages, particularly those associated with buried services and utility interfaces.
• Co‐ordinate and influence multiple utility designers and contractors to ensure design risks are effectively managed and integrated with the wider EWR programme and delivery partners.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with utility coordinators, designers, project managers, and contractor teams, fostering collaboration, effective communication, and shared ownership of risk.
• Support Project Teams in the review and approval of Risk Assessments (RAs) and Method Statements (RAMS), Safe Systems of Work (SSoW), and design risk registers, ensuring utility works are adequately planned, communicated, and executed safely.
• Provide specialist oversight of buried services management, ensuring compliance with HSG47 and relevant industry standards, including: Utility searches and records validation, Safe excavation practices, Permit‐to‐dig systems, Service avoidance tools and verification methods.
• Ensure effective interface management between project teams and statutory utility providers, embedding safe working practices and managing differences in standards, procedures, and operational constraints.
• Undertake regular site inspections, audits, and tours of utility works, providing clear, proportionate feedback and identifying practical, risk‐based improvements.
• Lead or support the investigation of incidents, near misses, and dangerous occurrences relating to utility works, identifying root causes and ensuring timely close‐out of corrective and preventative actions.
• Contribute to Health by Design and Safe by Design reviews, design risk workshops, and coordination meetings, ensuring outcomes are documented, communicated, and embedded into construction planning.
• Support the development and delivery of targeted training, briefings, toolbox talks, and learning interventions focused on utility interfaces, buried services risks, and CDM responsibilities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Experience:

• Demonstrable experience in a Health & Safety Lead role within utilities, civil engineering, or major infrastructure environments (rail experience desirable).
• Proven experience in accident and incident investigation, including root cause analysis and the implementation and close‐out of corrective actions.
• Confident and competent in undertaking site inspections, audits, and safety engagements across a range of contractors, utility providers, and project environments.

Skills:

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to balance support and constructive challenge while maintaining trust, credibility, and respect.
• Able to manage competing priorities, respond effectively to changing demands, and remain composed in a dynamic and fast‐paced delivery environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and evidence‐based reports and safety documentation.
• Self‐motivated and proactive, with a practical, solutions‐focused approach to health and safety.
• Computer literate with good understanding of health and safety reporting systems.

Knowledge:

• Strong working knowledge of the CDM Regulations 2015, assurance, and construction activities.
• Sound understanding of buried services risk management, including HSG47 principles, service avoidance, permit‐to‐dig systems, and safe excavation practices.

Qualifications:

• NEBOSH General or Construction Certificate (minimum requirement).
• NEBOSH Diploma or willingness to work towards is desirable.
• Assurance / Audit / Investigation competence.
• Member of relevant professional body.
• Knowledge and experience of general health & safety legislation.
• Knowledge and experience of Railway‐specific legislation and standards, including Railway Group Standards and Network Rail Company Standards, where applicable (desirable).

Benefits

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience.
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future.
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days.
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community.
• Enhanced family‐friendly policies to support you and your loved ones.
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it.
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits.
• Recognition programme, including on‐the‐spot and annual awards.
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Diversity and Inclusion: At East West Railway Company, we're committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.