Health and safety adviser

Health and safety adviser job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Health and safety advisers are employed by a wide range of public and private sector organisations including local authorities, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, construction/engineering companies, colleges, universities, manufacturers, large private companies and food processing/packaging plants. Typical responsibilities of the job include:

• writing internal health and safety policies/strategies
• drawing-up safe operational procedures
• undertaking risk assessments
• identifying potential hazards
• determining ways of reducing risks
• planning safe working practices and making necessary changes
• keeping up to date and ensuring compliance with current health and safety legislation
• ensuring that equipment is installed correctly/safely
• writing reports, bulletins and newsletters
• providing health and safety training courses for employees and managers
• investigating/recording incidents, accidents, complaints and cases of ill health
• compiling statistics
• making recommendations following accidents/incidents
• liaising with relevant authorities
• organising/attending health and safety meetings
• safely handling hazardous substances
• making regular site inspections
• keeping up to date with developments within the profession
• making presentations to groups of employees/managers.

Vacancies are advertised in newspapers, via the internet and in specialist publications such as Municipal Journal, Opportunities, Safety and Health Practitioner and Health and Safety at Work. Recruitment agencies also often advertise positions.

Qualifications and training required

Although a degree/HND is not essential for entry into the profession, health and safety advisers must be corporate members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). To gain membership candidates need to hold an accredited occupational health and safety degree/MSc/diploma or the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) diploma. They must also gain at least three years' professional experience.

Key skills for health and safety advisers

Employers seek candidates who are calm, patient and assertive, with excellent negotiation, communication, analytical and interpersonal skills. Relevant scientific or technical work experience (either paid or voluntary) can be beneficial. Additionally, health and safety advisers should be physically fit, IT literate and capable of acquiring and applying detailed legal, technical and regulatory information.