Health & Safety Manager
Location: Watford-based head office with travel to sites across the UK
Rate: £400 per day
Engagement: Freelance / Self-employed / Permenant
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Health & Safety Manager to join a well-established subcontractor working on groundworks and civil engineering projects. This is a critical role requiring a proactive and knowledgeable professional who can take full ownership of the company’s health and safety practices—from strategic planning through to site-level execution.
The successful candidate will be responsible for writing and implementing comprehensive Health & Safety strategies and ensuring best practices are consistently applied across all projects.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Systems
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Develop and implement a company-wide Health & Safety strategy.
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Review and refine the business’s safety management systems, policies, and procedures.
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Ensure full compliance with relevant legislation and ISO standards.
Site Operations
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Carry out regular site audits, inspections, and risk assessments.
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Lead incident investigations and deliver corrective actions.
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Provide practical support to site teams and senior leadership.
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Conduct inductions, toolbox talks, and internal training.
Leadership & Compliance
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Act as the principal point of contact for all H&S-related matters.
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Maintain detailed records of incidents, audits, and training.
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Submit structured reports and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Essential ISO Standards Experience
The ideal candidate will be experienced in aligning company practices with the following ISO management systems:
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ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety)
Ability to lead the implementation and continuous improvement of systems under this core H&S framework.
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ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management)
Familiarity with integrated quality systems—particularly as they relate to standard operating procedures, corrective actions, and audit preparation.
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ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management)
Understanding of environmental controls and compliance within a civil engineering context, including site waste and pollution prevention.
Candidates with prior experience supporting external or internal ISO audits and driving readiness for accreditation will be strongly preferred.
Candidate Requirements
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NEBOSH General Certificate or Construction Certificate (minimum); ideally NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent.
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Strong working knowledge of UK construction H&S regulations, including CDM 2015.
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Prior experience working with subcontractors in groundworks and civil engineering.
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Comfortable working across multiple sites with limited supervision.
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Full UK driving licence.
Desirable Qualities
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IOSH membership (GradIOSH or CMIOSH).
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Approachable, detail-oriented, and committed to high standards.
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Strong communicator, confident with influencing both site operatives and senior management