Health And Safety Manager in Motherwell

We are an established steel reinforcement fabrication business seeking an experienced and proactive Health & Safety Manager to take responsibility for health and safety across our two operational depots in Motherwell and Shildon.

Operating in a demanding industrial environment, our business involves steel processing and fabrication, heavy machinery, overhead cranes, lifting operations, forklifts and the movement of heavy materials. We require a practical, hands‑on professional who understands these risks and can translate health and safety requirements into effective controls on the factory floor.

We are committed to continually improving our safety standards and culture. The successful candidate will work closely with the owner, management teams and employees to strengthen our existing arrangements, ensure compliance and drive measurable improvements in safety performance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Health & Safety professional to take ownership of a multi-site manufacturing operation and make a genuine difference.

The Role

You will lead the development, implementation and continual improvement of health and safety across both depots, ensuring that appropriate systems are in place and, more importantly, that they work effectively in practice.

The role requires a visible presence within our operations, regular engagement with employees and managers, and the confidence to identify risks, challenge unsafe practices and drive corrective action.

Key responsibilities will include:

Health & Safety Management

• Maintain and continually improve our ISO 45001, 18001-certified health and safety management system.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and relevant industry requirements.
• Develop and review risk assessments, method statements and safe systems of work.
• Conduct regular workplace inspections, audits and compliance reviews across both depots.
• Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Monitor safety performance, report findings and maintain effective records and documentation.

Machinery Safety and Engineering Controls

• Assess risks associated with machinery used in steel reinforcement processing and fabrication.
• Review machine guarding, interlocks, emergency stops and other safety devices.
• Ensure safe procedures are in place for operation, cleaning, adjustment, maintenance and isolation.
• Work with production and maintenance teams to address deficiencies and improve machinery safety.

Lifting Operations and Material Handling

• Oversee health and safety arrangements for overhead cranes, lifting equipment and accessories.
• Review lifting practices, slinging arrangements and the management of suspended loads.
• Ensure safe operation of forklifts and other materials-handling equipment.
• Assess risks associated with steel storage, stacking, loading and unloading.
• Ensure appropriate inspection arrangements, operator competence and safe systems of work.

Workplace Transport and Yard Safety

• Review and improve traffic management within factory and yard areas.
• Manage risks involving forklifts, HGVs, reversing vehicles and pedestrian movements.
• Ensure safe loading and unloading of delivery vehicles and customer collections.
• Promote effective segregation of people, vehicles and heavy materials.

Wider Health, Safety and Occupational Health

• Manage risks associated with welding fumes, noise, COSHH and hazardous substances.
• Oversee working‑at‑height arrangements, manual handling and occupational health controls.
• Coordinate employee training, competence assessments and safety communication.
• Manage contractor safety and emergency procedures.
• Support customer audits, regulatory inspections and continual improvement initiatives.

Leadership and Employee Engagement

• Build strong working relationships with employees, supervisors and management at both sites.
• Promote a positive safety culture based on accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Provide practical advice and guidance to managers on risk reduction and legal compliance.
• Ensure corrective actions are completed and that improvements are effective.
• Present clear recommendations and priorities to senior management.

About You

We are looking for a confident, approachable and commercially aware Health & Safety professional who can combine technical knowledge with practical experience in an industrial environment.

Ideally, you will have:

• Proven experience in a Health & Safety management role within steel fabrication, metal processing, engineering, heavy manufacturing or a similar industrial setting.
• Strong knowledge of machinery risk assessment and guarding.
• Experience with cranes, lifting operations, forklifts and heavy-material handling.
• A good understanding of workplace transport and factory safety.
• Experience implementing or improving an ISO 45001, 14001 & 9001 management system.
• Knowledge of relevant UK health and safety legislation and compliance requirements.
• The ability to investigate incidents, identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge unsafe practices.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach and the ability to work independently across two sites.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between Motherwell and Shildon.

A NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent professional qualification is desirable. NEBOSH General Certificate, Chartered IOSH status or progress towards professional membership would also be welcomed, depending on experience.

Most importantly, you will have the practical judgement and credibility to work effectively with people at every level of the business.

What We Offer

• A senior role with responsibility for two operational manufacturing depots.
• Direct access to senior management and the opportunity to influence business decisions.
• The opportunity to shape and improve our health and safety culture.
• Support for practical improvements and investment in appropriate safety measures.
• A varied, hands‑on role with scope to make a measurable difference.
• A competitive salary and benefits package, negotiable according to experience and capability.
• The opportunity to become a valued member of a close-knit management team.

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