Role Purpose:
The Health & Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring safe operations within a chemical or other high-risk industrial environment. This role supports compliance with regulatory standards, leads hazard identification and risk control activities, and promotes a strong safety culture to prevent accidents, injuries, and environmental releases.
Key Responsibilities
1. Regulatory Compliance & Governance
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Ensure full compliance with chemical industry regulations, hazardous substances legislation, and site permits.
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Maintain and update HSE procedures, emergency plans, chemical handling standards, and permit-to-work systems.
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Assist with regulatory audits, inspections, and external reporting requirements.
2. Risk Assessment & Hazard Control
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Lead risk assessments (HIRA, COSHH/chemical risk assessments, job safety analysis).
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Oversee control of high-risk activities such as confined space entry, hot works, chemical transfer, working at height, and energy isolation (LOTO).
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Monitor safety-critical equipment and engineering controls (ventilation, containment, gas detection, emergency showers, etc.).
3. Chemical Safety & Process Safety Support
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Monitor safe storage, handling, disposal, and transport of hazardous chemicals.
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Support process safety reviews (HAZOP/HAZID) and monitor compliance with safety integrity/engineering controls.
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Ensure chemical inventory data, SDS documentation, and labelling systems remain accurate and up to date.
4. Incident Management
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Lead or support investigations into incidents, near misses, chemical spills, exposures, and equipment failures.
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Conduct root cause analysis and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
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Maintain incident reporting systems and track trends for continual improvement.
5. Safety Culture & Training
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Deliver safety training, chemical awareness, and toolbox talks for staff and contractors.
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Engage with operational teams to influence safe behaviour and promote a positive safety culture.
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Participate in safety committees, emergency response drills, and behavioural-based safety programs.
6. Site Inspections & Monitoring
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Conduct routine HSE inspections in chemical processing areas, storage zones, labs, utilities, and high-risk workspaces.
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Monitor PPE use, safe systems of work, and work-permit compliance.
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Track safety performance metrics and prepare periodic HSE reports for management.
7. Emergency Preparedness
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Support development, testing, and continuous improvement of emergency response plans.
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Participate in drills for chemical spill response, fire, evacuation, and rescue operations.
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Ensure emergency equipment and alarms are functional and maintained.
Skills & Competencies
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Strong understanding of chemical hazards, process safety principles, and industrial risk management.
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Excellent communication and coaching skills with ability to influence at all organisational levels.
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Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret technical safety information.
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Ability to remain calm and effective in emergency situations.
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Proficient in safety management systems (ISO 45001 preferred).
Required Qualifications & Experience
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Recognised health & safety qualification (NEBOSH, Diploma, Degree in OHS, or equivalent).
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Experience in chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, manufacturing, or other high-risk industrial environments.
