HS&E Advisor

The role

• Supporting managers and employees to implement the health and safety systems, including delivery of objectives and plans
• Undertaking incident/accident investigation and report writing
• Outlining safe operational procedures which identify and take account of all relevant hazards
• Undertaking risk assessments and site inspections to consider how risks can be reduced
• Keeping records of inspection findings and producing reports that suggest improvements
• Delivering site safety inductions to new personnel
• Ensuring that equipment is installed correctly/safely
• Writing internal health and safety policies/strategies
• Compiling statistics
• Assisting procurement team with tender document preparation in relation to environmental, health and safety questions
• Making presentations to groups of employees/managers
• Instigating health and safety meetings and training courses for managers and employees
• Liaising with relevant authorities, i.e. Health and Safety Executive
• Reviewing and interpreting environmental reports
• Ensuring compliance with environmental statutory obligations
• Keeping up to date and ensuring compliance with current health and safety legislation
• Making changes to working practices that are safe and comply with legislation
• Producing management reports, newsletters and bulletins
• Managing and organising the safe disposal of hazardous substances, e.g. asbestos
• Advising on a range of specialist areas, e.g. fire regulations, hazardous substances, noise, safeguarding machinery and occupational diseases

Qualifications and training

Many people can enter this role after gaining experience in the industry in a different craft/technical or professional capacity. They may have also gained health and safety training to assist in this role, such as IOSH's Working Safely, Managing Safely qualification or through CITB Site Safety Plus training courses. 

Entrants may have studied a degree in health and safety or risk management for entry into the profession. Alternatively, construction degrees in engineering, business and management, or law may also be beneficial.

In addition, there is usually a minimum requirement of National General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health (NEBOSH) 

If not already gained, training may also include IEMA approved courses (training aligned to the environmental profession), such as IEMA Approved Associate Certificate course in Environmental Management - a professional qualification for those dedicated to improving sustainability and environmental management within their organisation.