Health and Safety Manager

Overview

Location: On site / Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Job type: Permanent / Full-time. Sector and subsector: Science Health & Safety. Salary: Negotiable salary.

Job Title: Health and Safety Manager

Reporting relationship and responsible to: Head of Quality, Risk & Accreditation.

Role description

The Hermitage Clinic is an acute care hospital with 110 inpatient beds, seven operating theatres, an 8 bed ICU, an Emergency Department, many outpatient services, and a wide range of modern technically complex medical diagnostic and treatment facilities, providing high quality patient care. To deliver these services to patients there are approx. 700 staff employed.

Objectives of the role

The primary objective of the role is to provide Health and Safety and Fire Safety services required to meet the safety needs of staff to prevent and/or reduce the risk of accidents, and to meet all of the regulatory compliance requirements associated with Health and Safety and Fire Safety on behalf of the hospital.

Part A: Health and Safety

1. To manage all of the Health and Safety and Fire Safety requirements as directed by the CEO.
2. Develop, implement, and review the hospital's Health & Safety policies and procedures in line with Irish legislation, HIQA standards, and Joint Commission International (JCI) requirements.
3. Ensure compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations
4. To develop and maintain Safety Statements with specific risk assessments for each department. The Safety Statements to be fully compliant with HSA requirements, and to stand up to external audit scrutiny.
5. The Safety Statements to be reviewed with each Head of Department at a frequency not greater than 2 years, and more frequently if required.
6. Maintain the Safety Statements according as the needs of the hospital changes.
7. Develop And deliver the Health & Safety programs to promote a strong Safety Culture in the Hermitage Clinic.
8. Develop and maintain robust systems for measuring performance, H&S and Fire Safety KPI's, chemical inventory, chemical risk assessments, ergonomic risk assessments, H&S and Fire Safety auditing.
9. Carry out accident and near miss investigations, compile reports on these investigations, develop and make recommendations to prevent recurrence, and implement the recommendations in so far as is possible.
10. Work in collaboration with other roles that impact health and safety, and with HR for training records, Infection Prevention and Control personnel.
11. Review and develop policies and procedures to maintain and improve Health and Safety as required.
12. Consult with employees regarding Health, Safety and Welfare at Work, and provide information including risk assessment results.
13. Consult and engage with safety representatives.
14. Prepare reports on aspects of Health and Safety performance as required.
15. Work with managers and staff on equipment/processes/systems of work and advise on how Health and Safety can be addressed to ensure a safe workplace.
16. Develop a Health and Safety Audit programme and obtain department heads cooperation; monitor results and carry out random audits with corrective actions as needed.
17. Carry out a full Health and Safety Audit of the whole building at least once per year.
18. Manage the mandatory Health and Safety training requirements; review and adjust training as necessary.
19. Produce quarterly and annual Health and Safety performance reports and KPI analyses.
20. Prepare an annual Health and Safety budget and monitor expenditure.
21. Chair and organise the Health and Safety Committee; circulate minutes and agendas; review committee membership periodically.
22. Review Permit to Work systems and develop new ones as necessary, ensuring practicality, sustainability and compliance.
23. Carry out risk assessments for all new equipment, hazardous substances, and systems of work prior to introduction.
24. Advise on Safety Practices for hazardous substances and Biological agents present in the hospital.
25. Develop policies and training to manage incidents related to aggression or violence towards staff.
26. Ensure compliance with Joint Commission International (JCI) standards; present Health and Safety and Fire Safety training at induction days.
27. Manage Health and Safety requirements in current legislation and stay compliant with new legislation as it comes into effect.
28. Maintain continuing professional development in Health and Safety knowledge.
29. Maintain compliance with the Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor requirements.
30. During construction projects, advise on Health and Safety requirements, review Construction Safety Plans, and provide Safety induction training to contractor staff as needed.
31. Review RAMS and develop RAMS as required. Carry out other duties pertaining to Health and Safety and Fire Safety as required. Liaise with the Health and Safety Authority and other statutory bodies as necessary.

Part B: Fire Safety

1. Fire Safety Officer responsibilities include managing Fire Safety in the hospital and acting as a focal point for all Fire Safety matters.
2. Develop, maintain and manage the Fire Safety Management system and ensure fire detection and suppression systems are maintained, tested and operational.
3. Develop Fire Safety policy protocols and hospital emergency plans and ensure staff familiarity.
4. Obtain expert Fire Safety advice to develop/improve Fire Safety arrangements.
5. Be responsible for day-to-day implementation of the Fire Safety Policy.
6. Develop understanding of Fire Safety legislation, standards and guidance for acute hospitals.
7. Develop, deliver and audit a Fire Safety Training program including drills for an acute care hospital.
8. Review all Fire Safety training on a cycle of not greater than every two years and update as needed.
9. Raise awareness of Fire Safety features with all staff.
10. Conduct regular Fire Risk Assessments with action plans included in the risk register.
11. Ensure Fire Procedures for less-able staff, patients and visitors are in place.
12. Report Fire Incidents according to hospital policy; monitor and reduce false Fire Alarms.
13. Liaise with external enforcing authorities regarding Fire Safety.
14. Monitor inspection and maintenance of Fire Safety systems; ensure standards are met.
15. Ensure Fire Safety audits are carried out at least every six months by an independent practitioner; document non-conformances and actions.
16. Ensure Fire Safety is a main agenda item on the Health and Safety Committee.
17. Review Fire Response Team and ensure adequate senior management presence.
18. Conduct annual fire evacuation drills; document corrective actions and include in quality improvement plan.

General requirements

1. People Management: Good people management skills and ability to understand staff concerns.
2. Communication skills: Ability to communicate technical requirements clearly.
3. Resource Management: Ability to operate within a budget.
4. Teamwork: Ability to work as part of a team with a focus on the primary role.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum of a Higher Diploma or BSc in Occupational Health and Safety. 5 years' experience in a direct Occupational Health and Safety role. Membership of IOSH would be a distinct advantage.