At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead health and safety compliance across all departments, ensuring a safe workplace culture.
- Company: Join a dynamic institution focused on education and safety excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pay rate of £25 per hour and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety culture while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a passion for health and safety!
- Other info: This is a 6-month contract role starting ASAP.
6 months Contract
25 p/h
To start ASAP!
Main Purpose:
Take ownership of health and safety across all IOE departments, leading on compliance requirements, including delivery of the faculty’s T100 baseline, and embedding good safety culture at all levels.
Act as the main Departmental Safety Officer for IOE, responsible for implementing Health and Safety policies and ensuring day-to-day compliance. Support all Health and Safety tasking, including T100 safety, risk control, and emergency response.
Departmental Safety Officer Duties:
- Service the IOE Safety Committee and act as the central contact point for all Health and Safety matters.
- Manage Health and Safety documentation including policy displays, risk registers, inspection and audit reports.
- Oversee incident reporting via RiskNET, reviewing all incidents within five working days, investigating and ensuring lessons learned are shared.
- Maintain the Responsible Persons Register and ensure records are accurate and up to date.
- Ensure mandatory staff inductions, training and refresher sessions for display screen equipment, fire safety, manual handling, first aid and lone-working are delivered effectively.
- Support all statutory assessments including Risk Assessments, Display Screen Equipment, Electrical Equipment and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
- Conduct general workplace inspections and equipment visual audits.
- Coordinate the display screen equipment assessor network and ensure staff complete valid self-assessments at onboarding and at three-year intervals.
- Support risk assessments for pregnant workers, lone working and hazardous materials.
- Manage incident and near miss reporting systems, ensuring thorough investigations and follow-up actions.
- Appoint Fire Evacuation Marshals and First Aiders, and act as Senior Fire Marshal, First Aider and Display Screen Equipment Assessor.
- Maintain up-to-date emergency evacuation procedures and lead regular drills.
- Ensure contingency and business continuity arrangements are clearly defined and practiced.
- Serve as Departmental Safety Officer, chairing the IOE Health and Safety Committee, preparing agendas, writing minutes and following up on actions.
- Liaise with Safety Services, Estates, Fire and Security teams to maintain safe operations.
- Support all IOE Head of Departments with the health and safety committees.
- Deliver regular Health and Safety performance reports to faculty leadership.
- Support the Estates and Safety Operations Manager in the safe usage of all IOE facilities and coordinate with Estates on maintenance and projects regarding health and safety.
- Ensure electrical equipment is portable appliance tested, labelled and logged appropriately.
- Procure Health and Safety and facilities-related equipment and supplies.
- Take the lead on delivering the IOE’s T100 baseline as part of Target 100 Health and Safety programme.
- Ensure all departments within the IOE meet minimum compliance standards, including up-to-date risk assessments, incident reporting, safety training, emergency preparedness, and required documentation.
- Monitor compliance status across departments, identify gaps, and work closely with colleagues to develop action plans where needed.
- Report regularly on T100 progress to faculty HoDs and to the Estates and Safety Operations Manager and escalate risks or non-compliance where necessary.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety practice, aligned with policy expectations and audit readiness.
Health and Safety Lead employer: Purchasing Professionals Ltd
Contact Detail:
Purchasing Professionals Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health and Safety Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest health and safety regulations and compliance standards relevant to the role. This will not only help you understand the expectations but also demonstrate your commitment to the field during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the health and safety sector, especially those who have experience in educational institutions. Engaging with them can provide insights into the specific challenges and best practices that you can mention in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with incident reporting and risk assessments in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed these processes in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to lead and influence a safety culture within an organisation. Think of specific instances where you've championed health and safety initiatives and how you can apply that experience to foster a positive safety environment at IOE.
We think you need these skills to ace Health and Safety Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in health and safety management. Focus on specific achievements related to compliance, risk assessments, and safety training that align with the job description.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your passion for health and safety. Mention your experience as a Departmental Safety Officer and how you can contribute to embedding a good safety culture at all levels within the organisation.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as incident investigation, risk control, and emergency response. Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate your capability in these areas.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Discuss any initiatives you've led or been part of that improved health and safety practices. This could include developing training programmes, conducting audits, or implementing new safety policies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Purchasing Professionals Ltd
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure to read the job description carefully. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and requirements of the Health and Safety Lead position. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Prepare Examples of Past Experiences
Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed health and safety compliance or led initiatives in a similar role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, making it easier for the interviewer to understand your contributions.
✨Show Your Knowledge of Regulations
Be prepared to discuss relevant health and safety regulations and standards that apply to the role. Demonstrating your knowledge of compliance requirements and best practices will show that you are well-equipped to take ownership of health and safety across departments.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
As a Health and Safety Lead, you'll need to liaise with various teams and stakeholders. Highlight your communication skills and provide examples of how you've effectively communicated safety policies or conducted training sessions in the past.