Job Information
Location: Lucan, County Dublin, Ireland
Company: Bitrecruit
Client / Employer: Occupop
Job Title: Health and Safety Manager
Reporting relationship: Head of Quality, Risk & Accreditation.
Job Description
Introduction. The Hermitage Clinic is an acute care hospital with 110 inpatient beds, seven operating theatres, a 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 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.
Role Requirements – Part A: Health and Safety
Manage all of the Health and Safety and Fire Safety requirements as directed by the CEO.
Develop, implement, and review the hospital's Health & Safety policies and procedures in line with Irish legislation, Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards, and Joint Commission International (JCI) requirements.
Ensure compliance with Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations.
Develop and maintain Safety Statements with specific risk assessments for each department. The Safety Statements must be fully compliant with HSA requirements and stand up to external audit scrutiny.
Review Safety Statements with each Head of Department at a frequency not greater than two years, and more frequently if required.
Maintain Safety Statements in accordance with the changing needs of the hospital.
Develop and deliver the Health & Safety programs to promote a strong Safety Culture in the Hermitage Clinic.
Develop and maintain robust systems for:
Measuring performance.
Health & Safety and Fire Safety KPIs.
Chemical inventory – keep it up to date and current.
Chemical risk assessments.
Ergonomic risk assessments.
Health & Safety and Fire Safety auditing.
Carry out accident and near miss investigations, compile reports, develop recommendations to prevent recurrence, and implement the recommendations where possible.
Work in collaboration with other roles influencing Health and Safety such as Medical Physics, Occupational Health Nurse, Engineering Manager and Engineering staff, Quality Manager and Quality staff, HR (particularly training records), and Infection Prevention and Control personnel.
Review and develop policies and procedures to maintain and improve Health and Safety as required.
Consult with Hermitage Clinic employees regarding Health, Safety and Welfare at Work, and provide information with regard to risk assessments.
Consult and engage with safety representatives productively.
Prepare reports on Health and Safety performance aspects as required.
Work with managers and staff on new and existing equipment/processes/systems of work and advise on Health and Safety to ensure a safe workplace.
Develop a Health and Safety Audit programme; obtain Department Heads cooperation; monitor and analyse audit results; carry out random checks to validate audits; correct non-conformances with appropriate staff.
Carry out a full and comprehensive Health and Safety Audit of the whole building at least once per year.
Manage mandatory Health and Safety training requirements.
Review mandatory training and audit training as necessary to ensure fitness for purpose; adjust training content if necessary.
Provide quarterly and annual reports on Health and Safety performance and KPIs, including accidents/near misses categories, training compliance, challenges, achievements, and goals for the forthcoming year.
Prepare a Health and Safety budget on an annual basis.
Control and monitor the Health and Safety budget.
Chair and organise the Health and Safety Committee.
Prepare and circulate minutes and agenda for the Health and Safety Committee.
Review the membership of the Health and Safety Committee on a cycle of up to three years and recommend any changes to improve effectiveness.
Review existing Permit to Work systems and develop new ones as necessary—always practical, sustainable, and compliant.
Carry out risk assessments for all new equipment, hazardous substances, and systems of work prior to introduction.
Advise and implement established safety practices for all hazardous substances and biological agents present in the hospital.
Develop policies and training to manage incidents related to aggressive or violent behaviour towards staff.
Ensure compliance with Joint Commission International (JCI) standards.
Present Health and Safety and Fire Safety training at regular induction training days.
Manage Health and Safety requirements as established in current legislation and keep hospital in compliance with new legislation as it comes into effect.
Maintain continuous professional development appropriate to the role in Health and Safety knowledge.
Maintain compliance on behalf of the hospital with Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor requirements.
During construction projects, advise on Health and Safety requirements, review and update Construction Safety Plans, and provide safety induction training to contractor staff when necessary.
Review Risk Assessment & Method Statements (RAMS) as required and develop RAMS when necessary.
Carry out other duties not listed in this document pertaining to Health and Safety and Fire Safety as required.
Liaise with the Health and Safety Authority and other statutory bodies concerning Health and Safety issues in the hospital as necessary.
Role Requirements – Part B: Fire Safety
The role of Fire Safety Officer is primarily to manage Fire Safety in the hospital and act as a focus for all Fire Safety matters.
Develop, maintain and manage the Fire Safety Management system; ensure fire detection and suppression systems are maintained, tested and fully operational.
Develop the Fire Safety policy protocols, and associated hospital emergency plan and put systems in place so all staff will be familiar with these policies.
Obtain expert advice on aspects of Fire Safety Management from a qualified expert as necessary for development or improvement.
Be responsible for the day‑to‑day implementation of the Fire Safety Policy.
Develop and learn best‑in‑class understanding of how to interpret and apply Fire Safety legislation, standards and guidance documents particular for acute hospitals.
Develop, deliver and audit an effective Fire Safety Training programme including required drills for an acute care hospital.
Review all Fire Safety training every two years and adjust if necessary to remain statutory and practical.
Raise awareness of all Fire Safety features and their purpose with all staff.
Conduct regular Fire Risk Assessments; record suitable action plans and implement them as part of the hospital risk register.
Ensure requirements for Fire Procedures for less‑able staff, patients and visitors are in place.
Report Fire Incidents in accordance with the hospital's policy.
Monitor, report and take action to reduce false Fire Alarms if they occur.
Liaise with external enforcing authorities regarding Fire Safety in the hospital.
Monitor inspection and maintenance of Fire Safety systems to meet appropriate standards.
Ensure suitable Fire Safety Audits are carried out every six months by an experienced independent Fire Safety practitioner, more frequently if needed. Record audits formally and develop action plans to fix non‑conformances.
Ensure Fire Safety is always a main agenda item on the Health and Safety Committee agenda—every time the committee meets.
Review the Fire Response Team and ensure appropriate level of senior management available.
Conduct annual fire evacuation drills across all departments and shifts. Document identified corrective actions and incorporate them into a quality improvement plan.
General Requirements for the Health and Safety & Fire Safety Manager Role
People Management: Good people management skills, capable of understanding concerns of staff and management with ease.
Communication skills: Ability to communicate technical aspects of work requirements effectively and understandably.
Resource Management: Ability to operate within a budget.
Teamwork: Ability to work as part of a team in an effective and cooperative manner while keeping focus on the primary role.
Qualifications & Experience Required
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.
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