Health & Safety Manager (North)

The role: We are looking to appoint a Health & Safety Manager, to primarily cover Scotland. Although they may also cover England on occasions. Therefore the successful candidate will need to be based in Scotland. This newly created role will work collaboratively with the Health, Safety & Deputy Security Manager to implement the strategic and operational delivery of occupational Health and Safety across the organisation, predominately those depots in Scotland. The role focuses on driving continuous improvement of the Agency’s Health & Safety performance, developing, and maintaining effective safety systems, and promoting a positive safety culture.

The post-holder will provide expert guidance and leadership in occupational health and safety matters, ensuring legal compliance, supporting behavioural safety initiatives, and promoting workforce well-being in line with OPA’s organisational values. As the OPA operates within the Major Accident Hazard industry, delivering and overseeing safety-critical activities, operating in a COMAH regulated environment, the Health & Safety Manager (North) will work closely with Depot Managers, Operations, Engineering, Projects, and the Executive team. The ability to liaise with people of differing levels, both externally and internally, ranging from the Competent Authority (HSE/EA/SEPA) to OPA Management and site operatives, is essential. The post-holder will act as a source of competent health and safety advice, in the implementation of the Agency’s Safety Management System (SMS). As regular travel with some overnight stays will be a feature of this role, candidates will need to have a full (preferably clean) driving licence.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a competent person for Occupational health and safety within the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with the Health, Safety and Deputy Security Manager to promote the delivery of key Occupational Health and Safety targets and success factors for OPA core business functions, and propose new, more cost-effective ways of meeting HSSE and Quality requirements.
• Provide site leads with technical and occupational Health and Safety advice, guidance, and support.
• Assist site leads in developing systems, processes, etc, to ensure activities undertaken are fully compliant with company policies, procedures, and legal requirements, particularly safety and ensuring safe systems of work.
• Support the implementation of new projects to enable the safety and effectiveness of design and operations through legislative compliance; identification and management of risk factors and the principles of ALARP for COMAH sites.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with COMAH and other UK H&S legislation, (e.g. Asbestos, CDM, legionella and COSHH), as well as internal standards (e.g. Control of Works).

The candidate: Candidates will preferably be an Engineering graduate holding a NEBOSH Diploma qualification, and hold or be progressing towards Chartered Membership (CMIOSH) with IOSH (the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health), or equivalent. With a strong track record of developing and implementing Safety Management Systems, as well as delivering safety improvement programmes. Ideally, you’ll have a minimum of 2/3 years’ experience in a Health & Safety management role within a COMAH regulated environment, with experience in most aspects of occupational Health & Safety, with supplementary knowledge around process safety awareness. Understanding of the regulatory aspects of MAHs as these relate to tank storage operations and COMAH regulatory requirements.

Required Knowledge/Skills:

• Understanding of the regulatory aspects of MAHs as these relate to tank storage operations and COMAH regulatory requirements.
• Ability to maintain an effective site presence and communicate with individuals at all levels in the organisation.
• In-depth knowledge of UK H&S legislation, including COMAH, legionella, asbestos, and COSHH.
• Strong working knowledge in the application of auditing principles.
• Strong knowledge around the requirements of CDM (Construction Design Management) 2015 Regulations.
• Experience in well-being initiatives, particularly mental health in the workplace.
• Understanding of various systems for safety data management.
• Experience using tools and methods for risk assessment, audits, and data analysis.
• Skill in technical report analysis and writing.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Stage 1 Interviews: 8 July 2026 (By Teams)

Stage 2 Interviews: 22 July 2026 (Face to face, Location Tbc)

The Organisation: The Oil & Pipelines Agency is a Public Corporation formed by the Oil and Pipelines Act 1985. Our current primary purpose is to manage, operate and maintain 6 Naval OFD’s (Oil Fuel Depots) and 1 Petroleum Storage Depot in the UK, as well as overseas, on behalf of the MOD. We currently have around 200 employees in the UK.

The Benefits: 30 days Holiday [Plus Bank Holidays], 4 x annual salary life assurance [after probation] & Group Income Protection Policy, Generous Pension Scheme, Group Healthcare Scheme (permanent staff only).

The Values: Innovation - We are creative and fearless in our work. Accountability - We take ownership of our work and lead from the front. Teamwork - We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

Our Mission: To deliver and enable optimal energy outcomes, in order to enable resilience, operational capability and advantage for UK Defence.

Our Vision: To be the enduring partner of choice for UK Defence operational energy delivery.