Health & Safety Advisor in Southampton

The Health & Safety Advisor delivers practical, site‑focused guidance on all aspects of health & safety management across one or more operational locations across the business. The position works closely with site teams to maintain compliance with UK legislation, meet client expectations, and uphold company standards, ensuring that Trant Engineering projects are delivered safely and with strong environmental responsibility. Occasionally there will be requirements to work away and spend extra days/time onsite or work within the site office as circumstances demand. 85% Site Based (Avg 17 days per Month) 15% Hybrid Based (Avg 3 Days Admin).

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Responsibilities: Support the implementation of company SHE policies, procedures, and safe systems of work. Carry out site inspections, walkabouts, observations, and audits to identify hazards and confirm effective control measures. Develop, review, and support the implementation of risk assessments, method statements, and safe systems of work. Lead or support incident investigations, identifying root causes and ensuring corrective actions are implemented and communicated. Provide competent SHE advice in line with UK Health & Safety legislation, industry standards, and client requirements. Support compliance with CDM Regulations 2015 and all relevant HSE regulations.
• Compliance and audit: Conduct internal audits and compliance checks to verify adherence to procedures, permits, legal requirements, and safe systems of work. Prepare audit reports highlighting non‑conformances, improvement areas, and SMART actions. Track and monitor the close‑out of audit findings within agreed timescales. Identify unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and potential risks, escalating where necessary. Support RIDDOR reporting and internal reporting processes. Assist with external audits from clients, accreditation bodies, and regulators, ensuring documentation is readily available. Maintain accurate records of inspections, audits, incidents, training, and statutory documentation. Promote continuous improvement by analysing trends, supporting root cause identification, sharing lessons learned, and encouraging proactive risk management. Verify subcontractor compliance through documentation checks, audits, performance reviews, and competence assessments. Provide timely feedback to site teams following audits, inspections, or incident investigations.
• Project and Site Support: Provide day‑to‑day SHE support to project and site teams to ensure safe planning and execution of work. Attend site meetings, progress reviews, pre‑start briefings, and planning sessions to highlight risks and provide competent advice. Support mobilisation of new projects, including inductions, emergency arrangements, site setup, and SHE documentation. Deliver toolbox talks, briefings, and training sessions to promote safe working practices. Support incident response on site, ensuring immediate actions are taken and investigations begin promptly. Assist in preparing and maintaining Construction Phase Plans, Traffic Management Plans, and other statutory documents. Coordinate subcontractor onboarding and ensure SHE expectations and compliance requirements are communicated and met. Promote a positive safety culture through engagement, proactive reporting, and behavioural safety initiatives.
• Stakeholder Communication: Escalate SHE concerns to site and project management. Liaise with internal departments (such as HR) for occupational health investigations. Attend client meetings as required (e.g., water companies, energy providers). Prepare and submit monthly SHE performance reports. Maintain clear and consistent communication with project managers, supervisors, and operational teams to ensure shared understanding of SHE expectations. Collaborate with SHE colleagues to share lessons learned, highlight emerging risks, and promote best practice. Produce professional written reports including inspection findings, incident summaries, and performance updates. Build strong working relationships at all levels, encouraging open dialogue and supporting a strong safety culture. Present safety information effectively to varied audiences during meetings, briefings, and inductions.

Core Values: Uphold and promote the Company’s Core Values – Care, Trust, Respect and Sustainability. You may be required to undertake additional duties, consistent with the responsibilities and level of this role, beyond those specified above.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent Level 3 NVQ Health & Safety)
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate.
• IOSH membership (TechIOSH) (CertIOSH) or working towards.
• NEBOSH National Diploma (Level 6), NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice, or IOSH Level 6 Diploma or working towards.
• Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Training – Taproot or equivalent.
• Experience in a SHE or H&S role within engineering, construction, utilities, water, or energy sectors.
• Working knowledge of UK health & safety legislation.
• Experience working across multiple sites or projects.
• Experience on water, wastewater, energy, power, or renewables projects.
• Awareness of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
• Proven ability to identify, analyse, and mitigate workplace hazards.
• Experience in developing and monitoring safety procedures, conducting audits, and maintaining records.