Occupational Health and Safety Advisor

Job Description

The Occupational Health & Safety Advisor supports the implementation of the established H&S framework across all offices and operational locations throughout the UK and Ireland. The role helps ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation, corporate standards, and industry best practice while contributing to a positive safety culture that supports employee wellbeing and safe ways of working.

The postholder will work closely with the Head of Health & Safety, regional leaders, office managers, and employees to help maintain consistent standards, support effective risk management activities, and contribute to the continuous improvement of health and safety performance.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Governance

• Support the implementation of health and safety policies, procedures, standards, and guidance across UK and Ireland office locations.
• Assist in maintaining health and safety documentation to ensure it remains current and aligned with legislative requirements.
• Monitor changes in relevant health and safety legislation and escalate updates or potential impacts to management.
• Support internal compliance reviews and assist with the coordination of responses to regulatory inspections, audits, and enquiries.
• Maintain accurate health and safety records and documentation.

Risk Management

• Assist in the preparation, review, and updating of risk assessments and safe working practices.
• Support office managers and local stakeholders in implementing agreed control measures.
• Conduct workplace inspections, audits, and assessments to help identify hazards and improvement opportunities.
• Track completion of corrective actions arising from audits, inspections, and risk assessments.

Incident Management

• Support the investigation of accidents, incidents, near misses, and occupational health-related events.
• Maintain accurate incident records and assist in preparing reports and recommendations.
• Support the completion of statutory reporting requirements where required.
• Monitor follow-up actions to ensure agreed improvements are implemented.

Emergency Preparedness

• Support the implementation and testing of local business continuity and emergency arrangements for office locations.
• Assist in monitoring fire warden coverage, first aid provision, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Help coordinate emergency drills and ensure records are maintained.

Occupational Health & Wellbeing

• Support occupational health programmes and employee wellbeing initiatives across the business.
• Contribute to activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace.
• Assist with the administration and coordination of occupational health referrals and related activities where required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with managers and employees to promote health and safety awareness and encourage safe working practices.
• Support health and safety committee meetings and employee engagement forums.
• Provide advice and guidance on routine health and safety matters, escalating more complex issues where appropriate.
• Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders and external providers.

Training & Competence

• Support the coordination of health and safety training and competency records.
• Assist in delivering safety awareness initiatives and communications campaigns.
• Help monitor completion of mandatory health and safety training activities.
• Support managers in understanding and applying health and safety requirements.

Performance & Reporting

• Assist in preparing regular health and safety reports, metrics, and dashboards.
• Monitor audit findings, action plans, incident statistics, and compliance data.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to data analysis and trend reporting.
• Support continuous improvement activities by identifying and sharing opportunities for enhancement.

People Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day support and guidance to office managers, local safety representatives, and employees on routine health and safety matters.
• Contribute to developing health and safety knowledge and awareness across the business.
• Support managers in fulfilling their health and safety responsibilities through advice, guidance, and information sharing.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Essential

• Relevant experience in a health and safety advisory or coordination role across multiple sites
• Strong working knowledge of UK and Irish health and safety legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing ISO 45001-certified management systems.
• Experience supporting the implementation and continual improvement of organisational H&S management systems.
• Proven experience conducting audits, inspections, and incident investigations.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at all levels of an organisation.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly throughout the UK and Ireland.

Desirable

• Experience within professional services, facilities management, engineering, construction, logistics, or similar multi-site environments.
• Experience supporting wellbeing and occupational health programmes.
• Knowledge of environmental and quality management systems.
• Experience delivering health and safety training and awareness programmes.

Qualifications

Essential

• NEBOSH General Certificate
• Member of IOSH (GradIOSH or above).
• ISO45001 Internal Auditor qualification

Desirable

• Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH).
• ISO 45001 Lead Auditor qualification.
• Mental Health First Aid or wellbeing-related qualifications.

Additional Information

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are an Equal Opportunities employer, and we strive to build a workforce that truly reflects the communities we represent. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and any other protected characteristic.

If you decide to apply for an opportunity with us, your application will be assessed based purely on your experience, the essential and desirable criteria, and your suitability for the role. We value each and every one’s contribution as this builds our culture and means that if you work with us, you will be included, listened to, and respected.