Safety Standards & Risks Advisor in Bury St Edmunds

The purpose of the role is to give competent health and safety advice to all business Directorates and UKPN Services, in order to ensure their effective management of safety risks. You will act as subject matter expert on your specialist safety topics – owning the creation, renewal and onwards communication of assigned documents within the safety management system.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expert health and safety advice to other advisors, directors, managers, employees and contractors as required, acting as an intermediary in all queries and challenges with the application of approved UKPN procedures or H&S legislation.
• Lead the review and preparation of existing procedures and development of new procedures or processes, ensuring these are clearly communicated with relevant media to employees and contractors as appropriate.
• Interpret new and existing H&S legislation or codes of practice to ensure compliance with legal and moral obligations.
• Oversee the process of approval and procurement of all new work equipment (tools and PPE) brought into UKPN.
• Act as subject matter expert on investigation panels for Serious and Very Serious Investigations; critically review completed investigation reports and provide feedback/coaching to Lead Investigators to improve the quality of investigations.
• Lead engagement and consultation with the wider business and Union Safety Representatives by participation in Safety Action Teams (SAT), working groups and other relevant forums, where appropriate.
• Represent UKPN at external events and conferences such as the Energy Networks Association or cross‑industry working groups, to bring emerging risks, innovation or best practice from other industries into UKPN.
• Support Technical Training with the development of training for staff and contractors and, in conjunction with the Technical Assurance and Assessment and Accreditation Teams, assist in monitoring compliance with safe systems of work within your areas of expertise.

Nature and Scope

The Safety Standards and Risk team is primarily responsible for the development of new or revised safety procedures to both employees and contractors. The post holder will be required to provide day‑to‑day ad‑hoc safety advice where requested, project‑manage the development of new or revision of existing procedures, contribute to risk management reviews and incident investigations, develop training and undertake compliance activities. The post holder will actively work within the Central H&S Team and engage with all Directorates and external bodies, providing effective “3rd line of defence” advice for all non‑electrical H&S matters as required. The post holder will also provide subject‑matter expert support to in‑business HSS teams and other teams which comprise the “2nd line of defence”. The position does not offer blended working. The post holder may be based at any of the listed locations but must travel to all business sites and work locations when required.

Managers and supervisors carry legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, and must ensure that all individuals have the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment. Employees must understand the risks, the environmental impacts and the controls required, including the upper weight limit of 116 kg for certain fall arrest devices.

Qualifications

• Hold as a minimum the National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Diploma or equivalent.
• Relevant experience of providing achievable professional H&S advice in one or more specialist area(s).
• Have a good understanding and experience of safety management systems and safety legislation relevant to the utility sector.
• Be a great communicator and team player – you can demonstrate how you have previously worked alongside operational departments to improve safety.
• Have an inquisitive mindset – consistently question why we do things this way, always think about how we can improve.
• Have good communication, presentation, planning and decision‑making skills and the ability to work with IT software packages such as Microsoft Office.
• Hold a full valid driving licence.

Other Information

The post reports to the Health and Safety Manager and will work within our Central H&S team, focusing on non‑electrical safety based in any of our Eastern, London or Southern offices (Bury St Edmunds, Borehamwood, Crawley, Colchester or Central London). You will be a permanent employee. You will attract a salary of £68,144 plus a car/allowance and a bonus of 3 %.

Additional Benefits

• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Reservist leave – additional 18 days full pay and 22 days unpaid.
• Private health insurance – SimplyHealth.
• Personal pension plan – personal contribution rates of 4 % or 5 % (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8 % or 10 %).
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme and seasonal ticket loan.
• Tax‑efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes.
• Occupational health support.
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers’ products.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme.