H&S Advisor in Blackburn

Would you like to be part of Vital Energi's Strategy of Growth? Vital Energi Engineering teams deliver a range of innovative solutions to support our clients to generate and distribute low carbon energy, with projects ranging from the construction of low carbon energy centres and district heat networks, to building solar farms, to upgrading old inefficient boiler systems with energy efficient heat pumps. We are looking for a H&S Advisor (Construction) to cover the North Region to provide proactive support to our Engineering teams working across a broad portfolio of projects.

Ideally, you will have experience in providing proactive H&S support in a similar multi-site, high-hazard construction environment, and be comfortable in engaging teams to positively identify and manage risks. You will be able to act as a point of technical advice for operational teams and have experience of providing technical support in relation to activities such as civils/excavation, working at height and lifting operations, and be able to critically review risk assessments and method statements to ensure foreseeable risks have been fully identified and effective mitigation strategies are in place.

If you would like to work for an organisation that values health and safety, and be able to make a positive impact across a broad range of locations and activities, then we'd love to hear from you.

The Role:

• Work collaboratively with project teams to ensure an organisational approach to health and safety is implemented to a consistently high standard.
• Taking a risk-based approach when determining solutions and initiatives; giving priority to high-risk and complex situations to ensure site-based personnel are following VE policies and HSE regulations.
• Use specific knowledge and understanding to partner and provide insightful, timely challenge to sub-contracted delivery partners and others in respect to delivery of H&S at project level, in compliance with CDM 2015, applying the Principles of Prevention throughout the project lifecycle in order to promote safe working environment/practices.
• Guide project health and safety activities implemented by operational line managers and supervisors promoting early identification of potential hazards during the work planning stages, supporting the development of mitigation and response plans that reduce the likelihood of incidents and injuries.
• Review and carry out assessments in order to consider how risks could be reduced and managed.
• Ensure project teams are evaluating RAMS submitted by delivery partners to ensure working practices that are safe and comply with legislation.
• Carry out regular (monthly) inspections of site conditions to check policies and procedures are being properly implemented, determine whether hazards present have been satisfactorily identified and advise on safe operational practices which identify and take into account all controls needed to overcome relevant hazards present in the working environment to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable a hazard-free work environment.
• Keep records of inspection findings and produce reports that recognise areas of good practice and suggest improvements where appropriate.
• Work with Project Teams to review risk assessments for all high-risk and complex works supporting approval of subcontractors' safety plans for lifting and slinging, work at height, work in confined spaces and temporary works.
• Provide managers with advice on training requirements for employees on health and safety issues/risks.
• Ensure a timely and effective response to H&S incidents, conducting incident investigations to gather evidence necessary to identify the cause of incident and injuries to determine root causes, documenting findings and recommendations to prevent a re-occurrence.
• In conjunction with the H&S Manager, drive related health and safety projects, working with team members and as appropriate other colleagues to effect change as a result of incidents, injuries or recognised trends.
• Engage with Project teams to ensure all employees receive a site induction, recording competency and identifying any special requirements for training associated with role/responsibilities.
• Support Project Teams to ensure employees receive weekly (minimum) toolbox talks and briefings on a mix of Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental topics.
• Facilitate employee engagement and participation through site safety committees and regular communication meetings including participative works planning for high-risk and complex works and working with the project management team responding to any employees' site safety concerns.
• Support registration and removal of hazardous (Special) waste and other waste streams from work sites.
• Help maintain safety standards in respect of emergency response; helping carry out drills and exercises to help manage emergencies.
• Work closely with appointed Occupational Health administrator to ensure fit for work certificates are in place for employees where required.
• Monitor H&S performance through the collection and dissemination of H&S performance data and monthly reporting, providing feedback to project team managers and the H&S Manager.
• Assist in delivery of audit programmes to ensure compliance with management systems prompted under ISO 9001, 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
• Maintain a focus on delivering advisory support to enable operations to meet or exceed environmental and quality expectations.
• Assist project team with the preparation, maintenance and handover (on project completion) of the Health & Safety file to the client.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in H&S.

Qualifications:

Whilst we will consider applicants on the basis of experience, the ideal candidate will also have at least:

• NEBOSH Certificate (essential) in Occupational Health and Safety (NEBOSH Diploma or similar preferred).
• Externally accredited internal auditor qualification (14001/18001/9001).
• Membership of recognised Professional Competencies.

Experience of providing an effective H&S support service within a construction/project environment, or similar dynamic, multi-site, field-based industry - the ideal candidate will have two to five years experience of working in a similar industry environment undertaking tasks comparable to the role. Proven ability to promote a positive safety culture.