Role Purpose
The QHSE Officer supports safe, compliant, and efficient operations across both facility environments (workshops, offices, site infrastructure) and R&D environments (labs, prototype areas, and test facilities). The role manages risks associated with routine operations and non‑routine experimental activity, ensuring regulatory compliance, safe equipment operation, environmental responsibility, and a strong QHSE culture.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety – Facilities & Site Operations
* Ensure compliance with UK H&S legislation including the Health & Safety at Work Act, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, RIDDOR, Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, and DSEAR.
* Conduct inspections of workshops, plant rooms, storage areas, offices, and facility equipment.
* Review or maintain Safe Systems of Work (SSoW), risk assessments, method statements, and workplace procedures.
* Support contractor management: permit to ‑work‑, inductions, RAMS review, and site supervision.
* Monitor workspaces for good housekeeping, ergonomics, manual handling safety, and workplace behaviours.
* Lead or support incident investigations and provide corrective and preventive action follow up‑.
* Lead/support ISO 45001 and 14001 Compliance & Audits
* Facilitate HSE meetings/ forums
* Site HSE reporting
* Support contractor site permits
* Administrator of Site Equipment Asset Management system
Health & Safety – R&D, Laboratories & Experimental
* Conduct R&D-specific risk assessments reviews covering:
o experimental hazards
o chemical handling and lab safety
o prototype and test rig operations
o mechanical/rotational equipment
o electrical/high energy‑systems
o new materials and composites manufacture
* Review Risk Assessments.
* Support safe design, commissioning, and operation of test rigs and experimental equipment.
* Oversee chemical safety management: COSHH assessments, inventory, storage, and disposal.
* Inspect laboratories, fume cupboards, LEV systems, emergency controls, and specialist R&D facilities.
* Provide safety guidance on use of specialist equipment
* Maintain compliance with ISO 45001
Environmental Responsibilities
* Support compliance with environmental regulations and site permits.
* Oversee waste management for both facility and laboratory operations:
o general waste
o chemical/biological waste
o composite and specialised materials
* Monitor environmental impacts, emissions, effluent controls, and energy usage in high consumption R&D equipment.
* Promote sustainable practices in site operations and experimental programmes.
* Support site sustainability strategy
* Conduct ISO 14001 aspect-impact assessments
Training & Competence
* Deliver training covering:
o Facility safety rules
o COSHH & chemical management
o Risk management
o Emergency response
o Manual Handling
* Provide HSE inductions tailored to contractors, engineers, researchers, students, and visitors.
* Support competency tracking and refresher training schedules.
Documentation & Reporting
* Maintain all HSE documentation for both facility and R&D operations, including:
o inspections & audits
o incident reports
o equipment safety records
o COSHH files
* Prepare HSE performance reports for leadership and participate in internal/external audits.
* Represent site in HSE forums
* Administrator for site Equipment and Asset Management system, however not responsible for the execution of planned and preventative maintenance including calibration.
Skills & Competencies
* Strong knowledge of both facilities based‑ HSE requirements and laboratory/R&D safety.
* Ability to interpret engineering drawings, facility layouts, technical documentation, and test plans.
* Effective communicator capable of working with scientists, engineers, technicians, contractors, and managers.
* Analytical, detail oriented‑, and able to manage diverse safety risks across multiple environments.
* Proactive, influential, and confident in dynamic and innovative settings.
* Meeting facilitation
Qualifications & Experience
* NEBOSH General Certificate (essential).
* Additional qualification or experience with COSHH, Incident Investigation, ISO 45001 and 14001, Fire Safety, Environmental Management, LOTO, or risk assessment desirable.
* Experience in mixed environments such as R&D laboratories, engineering workshops, and facility operations.
* Additional training such as First Aid, Fire Marshal, or spill response advantageous.
Key Behaviours
* Champions safety across both routine facility operations and innovative R&D activities.
* Calm, structured, and decisive during abnormal events or experiments.
* Collaborative, supportive, and constructive in multidisciplinary environments.
* Proactive in identifying risks, improving processes, and driving HSE culture.
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