Health and Safety Officer (Accident Prevention) in Belfast

REPORTS TO: Health and Safety Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Provision of specialist support and guidance with regard to Education Authority (EA) Health and Safety related matters, for the delivery of an Accident Prevention and Investigation Service across the EA.

JOB PURPOSE: The post-holder will assist the Health and Safety Manager in the day to day management of an Accident Prevention and Investigation Team within the Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Service, providing accurate and relevant advice and support on all matters relating to workplace accident reduction by carrying out audits, inspections and investigations, when necessary, of education premises to ensure compliance with Health and Safety and other Statutory requirements. The post-holder will also assist the Health and Safety Manager in the implementation of the EA Health and Safety Policy by providing a proactive Health and Safety presence in schools, to refocus the efforts of the service on accident prevention. The post-holder will be part of a newly created team which will be responsible for positively impacting on the number of accidents and incidents across Schools and EA Corporate to reduce the number and value of claims against the EA.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop procedures for the reporting, investigation and analysis of accidents, incidents and other health and safety data.
• Maximise the use of management information, supporting reports and performance indicators from the Online Accident Reporting System to identify accident trends and develop supporting mitigation strategies to prevent recurrence in support of the Health and Safety Manager.
• Respond with action as appropriate to ‘lessons learned’ correspondence from EA Claims and Insurance in support of the Health and Safety Manager.
• Advise schools/EA Corporate on ‘lessons learned’ as directed by the Health and Safety Manager.
• Investigate accidents/incidents as required by the Health and Safety Manager and make recommendations to avoid accident recurrence, ensuring legal compliance with Health and Safety Regulations.
• Liaise with various statutory bodies/agencies and take such action as is necessary to progress reports from these statutory bodies to ensure the EA complies with its legal obligations.
• Initiate and report to the HSENI via the NI2508 system on reportable accidents and incidents.
• Forward relevant accident reports to other education employing authorities to enable them to comply with their legal obligations under RIDDOR.
• Monitor any corrective action resulting from accident reports.
• Advise Boards of Governors, through principals and officers, on the priorities necessary to avoid accidents or dangerous occurrences.
• Assist the Health and Safety Manager in the Investigation of accidents to ensure compliance with statutory procedures and prepare detailed reports to recommend remedial action and prevent recurrence.
• The post-holder will be required to assist in providing a proactive health and safety advisory function to Schools and EA Services as and when required, when not involved in Accident Prevention and Investigation, under the direction of the Health and Safety Manager.

General Duties

• Ensure the availability of up to date and readily available information and data to support the production of reports and responses for and on behalf of EA Senior Management, EA Board Members, the Department of Education and others as required.
• Formulate and contribute to requests from Assembly Questions, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information or media enquiries for the consideration and approval of the Health and Safety Manager and the Senior Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Manager.
• Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade and within the competence of the post holder under the direction of the Health and Safety Manager.

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of responsibilities and reflects an initial assessment of the needs of the Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Service. As such, it is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to on-going review and refinement to ensure the Service’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the business. Other reasonable duties may be assigned by the Health and Safety Manager in consultation with the Health and Safety Officer (Accident Prevention).

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity, paying due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Hold a HNC/HND or above examination qualification and have one year’s experience of providing support in a Health and Safety service delivery environment; OR Have three years' experience of providing support in a Health and Safety service delivery environment.
• Hold a NEBOSH General Certificate Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams.
• Experience and understanding of the Risk Assessment process and Accident Investigation.

Knowledge

• Demonstrable knowledge of an Accident Reporting System.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Northern Ireland Health and Safety Legislation.

Other

• The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner.

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of the delivery of the Health and Safety Service within a large complex organisation.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.