Health and Safety Officer Clerical Officer Grade VIICork, County Cork, IrelandCompany: BitrecruitClient / Employer: OccupopPurpose of the PostThe Health and Safety Officer will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of health and safety systems across MUH, ensuring full compliance with statutory, regulatory and corporate requirements. The post holder will act as the principal specialist advisor on all occupational health and safety matters to the Executive Management Board (EMB), senior leadership, Heads of Department and staff.Specific accountabilities include:Ensuring compliance with the MUH Corporate Safety Statement and associated legislationAdvising management and duty holders on risk management, governance and legislative obligations in relation to occupational Health & SafetyMeeting all internal and external reporting requirements, including to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA)Implementing national policy issued by the HSE National Health and Safety FunctionLiaising with external bodies including the HSA, Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA)Producing regular performance reports for local management, EMB, South West Region and the NHSF.Principal Duties and ResponsibilitiesHealth & Safety ManagementLead and manage the MUH Health and Safety function, ensuring full compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirementsPromote and embed a positive safety culture across all hospital campuses and outlying facilitiesDevelop, maintain and regularly review the Corporate Safety Statement and all departmental safety statements in collaboration with the EMB and Heads of DepartmentLead the hazard identification and risk assessment programme, maintaining the H&S Risk Register and escalating risks appropriately via the Corporate Risk RegisterRecommend and monitor control measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, patients and members of the publicEnsure safe systems of work, adequate information, instruction, training and supervision are in place across all departmentsDevelop and maintain all Health & Safety Policies, Procedures, Protocols and Guidelines (PPPGs) in line with organisational approval processesDesign and deliver a comprehensive audit and inspection programme to ensure ongoing legislative and policy complianceSupport the Hospital Emergency Planning Committee in maintaining effective emergency plans and proceduresManage recommendations arising from regulatory body inspections (HSA, HIQA, DGSA and other relevant bodies)Develop the Occupational Health & Safety Management System in line with ISO 45001 and relevant legislationEnsure compliance with all applicable Irish and EU occupational health and safety legislation and all other relevant legislation.Legislative Compliance RegisterDevelop, maintain and regularly review a Legal Register of all applicable Irish and EU health and safety legislation, mapping each statutory requirement to named duty holders and compliance controls within MUH, and providing periodic assurance reports to the EMB on the currency and completeness of legislative complianceMonitor and act upon proposed and enacted amendments to Irish and EU health and safety legislation - including new Statutory Instruments, EU Directives and Regulations, and guidance issued by the HSA, EU-OSHA and the European Commission - and present an annual legislative update to the EMB and Health & Safety Committee identifying any compliance gaps and required remedial actionAct as MUH's competent person as defined under Section 18 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, providing the knowledge and experience necessary to enable the organisation to comply with the Act, and ensuring competent persons are identified and appropriately supported at departmental level across all hospital sitesCorporate GovernanceProvide assurance to the EMB that all health and safety regulatory requirements are met, or that robust systems are in place to ensure complianceEstablish and maintain local governance structures aligned with corporate governance arrangementsAdvise the EMB and Heads of Department on policy development, legislative changes and strategic directionAct as principal liaison with the HSA on health and safety matters relating to MUH, in consultation with the EMBLiaise with Quality and Risk Management Department to promote risk reduction strategies identified through the Claims management processHealth & Safety CommitteeChair and facilitate the hospital Health & Safety Committee, meeting at minimum quarterly, with regular review of terms of reference and membershipEnsure clear action plans are in place and that committee actions are followed up and closed outCoordinate health and safety plans to deliver on Service Plan objectivesManage, support and coordinate the activities of elected health and safety representativesMonitor, review and report on non-clinical adverse event data and trends using the National Incident Management System (NIMS)Ensure full "Lost Time" Incident compliance by promptly and accurately recording and managing all incidents in NIMS, with timely HSA IR1 notifications completed as required.Ensure timely escalation of incidents in line with HSE Incident Management FrameworkLead investigations, systems analysis and after action reviews of non-clinical incidents, supporting departmental managers to develop quality improvement plansIdentify potential breaches and drive corrective actionPerformance & ReportingDevelop and manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for health and safety performanceCollate and report KPI data to local management, the EMB, health and safety committees and working groupsDevelop expertise in health and safety information management systemsEnsure efficient administration of all H&S data collection processesUndertake and support a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) across the organisationCoordinate and deliver health and safety training programmes, including participation in global induction sessions for new staffEnsure training records are maintained at departmental levelPromote awareness of training resources available locally and nationallyLead educational sessions for managers and staff on legislative obligations, risk management and workplace safety responsibilitiesService DevelopmentDevelop, implement and monitor a rolling three-year Health and Safety Strategy and Action PlanDesign fit-for-purpose safety procedures and guidelines for both existing and new activitiesAdvise the EMB on short- and long-term health and safety objectives, priorities and performance standardsMaintain effective systems for performance review, document management and organisational learningSupport line managers in the motivation and day-to-day management of health and safety responsibilitiesCommunication & Stakeholder EngagementKeep senior management informed of legislative changes and required compliance actionsPromote MUH health and safety programmes and campaigns to all staff and key stakeholdersFoster a learning culture in which staff report adverse events openly and without fearAttend the NHSF Health and Safety Forum as MUH representativeProvide specialist advice across a broad range of areas including: risk assessment, safety statements, biological agents, hazardous substances, noise, machinery, ergonomics and transportation of dangerous goodsEligibility CriteriaQualifications & ExperienceEligible applicants must, on the closing date:Hold a QQI Level 8 (or higher) major academic award in Health and Safety or a cognate discipline - including qualifications accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) for membership at Graduate level or above.AND Have a minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience in a Health and Safety Officer or Advisor role.Possess the requisite knowledge, skills and management ability for the proper discharge of the role.Full Job Spec is available on request.Closing Date: 1pm on Wednesday, 3rd June 2026MUH reserves the right to create a panel for this post from which permanent, fixed term and specified purpose vacancies of a full or part time duration may be filled.
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