Health & Safety Manager

Health & Safety Manager

Temporary on going

Hybrid - 2 days a week in Dorchester

£350 to £450 a day

Inside IR35

Immediate Start

About Connect2Dorset

Connect2Dorset is the managed service recruitment partner to Dorset Council, providing temporary, contract, and interim opportunities across the organisation. Built on values of being ethical, trustworthy, and caring, our profits are reinvested back into our Local Authority shareholders.

To lead on and be accountable for the development and delivery of Health & Safety services for Dorset Council and partner organisations/customers, including the development and review of policy and practice and overview of risk.

1. Ensure the effective delivery of Health and Safety services, including responsibility for the setting and achievement of performance standards and outcomes, managing and monitoring resources, including budgets to underpin effective service delivery.
2. Ensure all health and safety related risks are understood across the council and that appropriate measures and systems are in place to mitigate any such risk/Develop and maintain effective assurance arrangements which support managers to discharge their health and safety responsibilities whilst providing independent professional oversight and challenge.
3. Lead health, safety and wellbeing governance arrangements, providing strategic leadership, corporate assurance and regular performance and risk reporting to senior leaders and governance forums.
4. Work collaboratively with People & Workforce colleagues to deliver an integrated service for the benefit of customers and to inform preventative approaches to employee health and wellbeing.
5. Through visible leadership, coaching and effective performance management, create an environment where people are engaged and empowered, understand what is expected, are accountable for agreed performance standards and supported to deliver results at pace.
6. Monitor and assess the potential impact of legislation on the authority to inform the development and revision of safety and wellbeing related strategies, policies and procedures to minimise the potential for harm and/or injury and reduce the potential risk of litigation.
7. Take decisions leading to the setting of work standards for others, resulting in changes in procedures or practice, which have significant implications for the service.
8. Lead on the development, production, monitoring and review of new and existing health and safety policies, procedures and guidance, liaising, influencing, negotiating and consulting with managers, staff and Trade Union representatives as appropriate.
9. Create opportunities to regularly engage with our customers, securing feedback on service delivery and reshaping the service offer within financial and organisational boundaries.
10. Provide technical advice and guidance to senior managers and other service customers in line with organisational objectives.
11. Carry out investigations of high profile accidents and incidents in accordance with relevant health and safety legislation and regulations, and monitor and review accident statistics to establish underlying causes, identify trends and recommend action where necessary. This response to serious accidents and incidents may include working outside of normal working hours and liaison with external enforcement authorities.
12. Deputise for and represent the service manager as required.
13. Attend/chair appropriate internal and external forums as a representative of Dorset Council, including the Council's Risk Management Group
14. Undertake continued professional development to keep knowledge up to date, remain up to speed with best practice thinking and to develop and learn new skills.
15. Carry out such other comparable professional duties in support of corporate or service objectives as required.

NB: The duties and responsibilities of this post are not restrictive, and the post holder may be required on occasion to undertake other duties. This will not substantially change the nature of the post.

Reporting to: Service Manager

Responsibility for: Line management of Health & Safety Team

In addition to the key responsibilities, as a people manager you will also:

• Lead and manage team dynamics and performance by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and ensuring high-quality delivery through effective quality assurance practices.

• Create an inclusive and supportive team environment that ensures continuous learning, professional development and good wellbeing, aligning to the council plan priorities, people and culture strategy, and responsibilities set out within our people management policies and requirements.

• Lead and champion opportunities for service improvement, innovation and change by taking accountability for its successful implementation, ensuring team members are engaged, motivated, and supported throughout transitions, whilst role modelling new ways of thinking and working.

1. Relevant professional qualification (NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent)

2. A minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent, two of which must be mathematics and English

3. Evidence of working towards becoming a Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner

Experience

4. Significant post qualifying experience, preferably in a large organisation

5. Operating a systematic approach to inspection, audit and health and safety management

6. Working through problems and finding solutions within a legal and organisational framework

7. Management/ supervision

8. Leading on the introduction of new services or approaches to service delivery

9. Training delivery

Knowledge

10. Understanding of the role of health and safety within a large organisation and identification of organisational needs

11. Sound knowledge of health and safety law and good practice

Connect2Dorset is a trading style of Dorset & Kent Commercial Services LLP - A joint venture between Dorset Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Dorset is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.