Occupational Safety Advisor

Pay rate: £19.32 per hour via PAYE

Contract duration: 2 Months

Purpose of the Job

Working as an integral part of the Corporate Occupational Safety team, carrying out duties as a competent person with regards to health and safety for Bradford Council. Contributing to a proactive health and safety function enabling managers and others to discharge their statutory duties. Developing a culture of ownership of health and safety amongst managers, in line with the Council’s Health and Safety at Work policy, its associated guidance and current health and safety legislation. Working with Council departments, services, schools and those who hold a council service level agreement, providing professional technical advice, support and guidance, monitoring performance and seeking opportunities for continual improvement of health and safety standards.

Main Responsibilities

• To keep abreast of legislative and procedural changes, developments and changes relating to health and safety.
• Ensuring that managers are advised of such and make recommendations for changes to be made to the Council Health and Safety at Work policy and associated procedures.
• Undertake duties and responsibilities as a Competent Person as required under the statutory requirements and support this provision in the Council.
• Working with council services and others to provide an efficient and effective health and safety service.
• Advise managers, staff and those who we are contracted with on health and safety matters, related policies, procedures and best practice.
• Advising management and staff on safety policies and in partnership with them assist in the development of safe codes of practice, safe working procedures and other such documentation.
• At all times promoting a positive safety culture amongst managers and employees.
• Advise management and others with regards to the positive management of risk.
• Ensuring hazards and risks are identified and suitably controlled via proactive robust risk assessment processes.
• Support the development of corporate policy, procedures and safety standards, advising managers, staff and our clients in their effective implementation.
• To monitor standards by means of visits, inspections, investigations, audit and statistical information that working environments and operations are working safely to best practice.
• Prepare and process as necessary suitable advice and reports for management.
• Raise the profile of the health and safety service within council departments, services, schools and those who have a service level agreement (SLA) with us.
• Seeking opportunities to increase the number of SLAs held.
• Act as one of the responsible persons for the Council regarding the reporting of accidents and incidents (RIDDOR) to the Health and Safety Executive.
• In respect to accidents: Assist management and others in the investigation of serious or complex accidents or incidents.
• Communicate with managers regarding remedial actions required arising from the investigation findings to prevent recurrence.
• Exploit opportunities for council services to learn from accidents and incidents by encouraging services to share their experiences.
• Ensure suitable summary information regarding accidents and incidents is kept up to date.
• Liaise with the recognised trade unions promoting positive health and safety standards in the authority.
• Liaise with the Insurance and Legal services with regard to injury claims against the Council.

Relevant experience requirement

• Experience of advising on safety matters within a local authority medium or large or complex organisation.
• Have experience of advising schools or educational services or commercial experience.
• Membership of IOSH to be certified member or chartered member, professional group or able to evidence continued professional development.
• Relevant qualifications: NEBOSH General Certificate, Occupational Safety and Health NVQ Level 3-4 Occupational Safety or equivalent, Health and Safety Technician (Apprenticeship) plus a minimum of 2 years advising on safety matters, preferably in a large or complex organisation.