Health and Safety Officer

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Health and Safety Officer

REPORTS TO: Health and Safety Locality Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Provision of specialist support and guidance with regard to Education Authority (EA) Health and Safety related matters including but not limited to Occupational Health and Safety, Risk Assessments and School Security. The postholder will also contribute to the implementation of the EA Health and Safety Statement and Policy ensuring compliance with Health and Safety and other statutory requirements.

Job Purpose: The post-holder will assist the Health and Safety Locality Manager in the day-to-day management of implementing the Education Authority’s Health and Safety Statement and Policy across schools and EA Corporate to ensure compliance with Health and Safety and other statutory requirements. The post-holder will also provide a proactive Health and Safety presence in schools, prioritise the highest risk issues and, where necessary, make recommendations for improvement.

In addition, the post-holder will provide specialist advice and support to schools and EA Corporate on all health, safety and security related matters in line with Northern Ireland Health and Safety Legislation and Guidance. The post-holder will work closely with EA colleagues, schools, Department of Education (DE) and external stakeholders such as Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) to ensure continuous service improvement and delivery on key performance priorities.

• Provide advice and guidance to Boards of Governors, Principals, School staff and EA Corporate staff in respect of Health and Safety legislation and safe working practices to help inform effective decision making.
• Advise Boards of Governors, Principals, School staff and EA Corporate staff on the actions necessary to provide a safe working environment in schools and to establish priorities.
• Advise and assist Boards of Governors, Principals and EA Heads of Service on implementing safety policies and procedures.
• Review, develop and ensure the implementation of EA’s portfolio of risk assessments.
• Provide guidance and advice on risk assessment to schools and EA Corporate in line with health and safety legislation.
• Ensure understanding of the implementation of controls specified in risk assessments during school visits and Health and Safety inspections.
• Maintain and develop procedures for the reporting, investigation and analysis of accidents, incidents and other health and safety data.
• Respond with action as appropriate to lessons learned correspondence from EA Claims and Insurance in support of the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
• Advise schools/EA Corporate on lessons learned as directed by the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
• Contribute to the investigation of accidents/incidents as required by the Health and Safety Locality Manager and make recommendations to avoid accident recurrence, ensuring legal compliance with Health and Safety Regulations.
• Liaise with various statutory bodies/agencies and take such action as is necessary to progress reports from these statutory bodies to ensure the EA complies with its legal obligations.
• Monitor any corrective action resulting from accident reports.
• Advise Boards of Governors, through Principals and EA Corporate staff, on the priorities necessary to avoid accidents or dangerous occurrences.
• The post-holder will be required to assist in providing a proactive health and safety advisory function to Schools and EA Services as and when required, under the direction of the Health and Safety Locality Manager.
• Ensure the availability of up-to-date and readily available information and data to support the production of reports and responses for and on behalf of EA Senior Management, EA Board Members, DE and others as required.
• Formulate and contribute to requests from Assembly Questions, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information or media enquiries for consideration and approval of the Health and Safety Locality Manager and the Senior Health, Safety and Emergency Planning Manager.
• Any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade and within the competence of the post holder under the direction…