Senior Health & Safety Advisor
Houlihan & Co | Civil Engineering & Groundworks
Location: Essex & Kent
Salary: £50,000-£60,000 + package
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reports to: Head of Health & Safety
About Houlihan & Co
Houlihan & Co is a growing UK civil engineering business delivering groundworks packages for main contractors across the South East. Our projects span residential and infrastructure schemes, including substructures, drainage, roads and sewers, and external works.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Health & Safety, you'll play a key role in promoting and maintaining high standards across our live projects throughout Essex and Kent.
This is a hands‑on, site‑focused role combining regular site visits and inspections with office‑based work. You'll work closely with site managers, supervisors, operatives and our clients' H&S teams to ensure compliance, identify risks and drive practical improvements.
We're looking for someone who is confident challenging unsafe practices, builds credibility with the workforce and understands the realities of delivering safe, productive groundworks operations.
You'll have the opportunity to make a genuine impact across the business, supporting our teams while helping to develop a positive, proactive safety culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out regular site inspections and audits, identifying areas for improvement and providing clear, practical recommendations to the Head of Health & Safety.
- Support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, including CDM 2015, RIDDOR, LOLER and PUWER, alongside client‑specific requirements.
- Review RAMS, task briefings and lift plans to ensure they are suitable, practical and appropriate for the activities being undertaken.
- Provide competent advice on high‑risk groundworks operations, including excavations, temporary works, plant‑people interface, underground services, confined spaces and lifting operations.
- Assist with accident and incident investigations, root cause analysis and RIDDOR reporting, helping to identify and implement effective preventative measures.
- Deliver toolbox talks and inductions, identify training needs and promote safe working practices across the workforce.
- Support the Head of Health & Safety in maintaining and continually improving the company's H&S management system, policies and procedures.
- Monitor changes in legislation, regulations and industry best practice, advising the business on their practical implications.
- Assist with tenders, pre‑qualification questionnaires and SSIP accreditation submissions, including CHAS, Constructionline and SafeContractor.
- Build strong working relationships with site teams and clients, encouraging ownership of health and safety at every level.
- Promote a positive, proactive safety culture, helping to embed continuous improvement across all projects.
What We're Looking For
Qualifications
- NEBOSH Construction Certificate as a minimum.
- NEBOSH Diploma, or currently working towards one, preferred.
- Valid CSCS card.
- Temporary Works Coordinator or Supervisor training/qualification desirable.
- Confined spaces training desirable.
Experience and Skills
- Proven experience in a senior health and safety role, ideally within civil engineering or groundworks, with exposure to residential and infrastructure projects.
- Strong working knowledge of CDM 2015 and the risks associated with groundworks operations.
- Practical experience of site inspections, risk assessments, method statements and incident investigations.
- Confident communication and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge unsafe practices constructively and build strong relationships across site teams.
- A proactive, practical approach to problem‑solving, with the confidence to work independently and
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between sites across Essex and Kent.
Join Houlihan & Co and play a key role in supporting our growth, strengthening our safety standards and helping ensure everyone goes home safe at the end of the working day
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Senior H&S Advisor in Essex employer: Houlihan & Co (Excavations) Ltd
At Houlihan & Co, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises health and safety while fostering employee growth. Our team members enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on projects across Essex and Kent, all within a dynamic civil engineering environment that values proactive safety practices and continuous improvement.
Contact Details:
Houlihan & Co (Excavations) Ltd Recruitment Team
