Operational Safety Lead - Water Utilities

We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package.

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The Operational Safety Lead - Water Utilities provides specialist health, safety, environmental and quality support across capital delivery projects within the UK water sector. The role supports the safe delivery of water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations, pipelines, reservoirs and network infrastructure from design through construction and commissioning.

You will be responsible for health, safety, environment and quality aspects of work delivered through our [water] contracts centred in [Worsley]. This role links to a wider central Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) team meaning you will be responsible for communicating and cascading (HSEQ) initiatives, systems, processes, activities, regulatory and compliance requirements across the business.

Your role will entail advancing compliance within the contracts, exhibiting leadership qualities and establishing the benchmarks we anticipate everyone to adhere to. Effective interaction with clients and operational teams will be pivotal, ensuring alignment with Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) objectives, construction, design and management legislation, other relevant regulations, and standards across all contract activities.

• You will provide technical Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) & CDM guidance and support directly to the contract/s.
• Ensure all project stakeholders comply with CDM 2015 regulations, assist in the preparation and coordination of pre-construction information (PCI).
• Review and contribute to the development of Construction Phase Plans (CPP)
• You will have a passion for ensuring exceptional levels of health, safety, quality and environmental standards are delivered; putting in place the processes and reports to continually monitor and maintain quality standards.
• Lead by example offering guidance, support and coaching as needed to the project.
• Review, approve, and oversee the quality, progress, and compliance of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) plans to ensure adherence to standards and objectives.
• Review workstream activities and contract risks including 1st line, 2nd line and 3rd line of defences (Operational, Strategic, Regulatory, Environment).
• Formulate roadmaps and strategic plans to address key risk areas or promote best practices, aligning with the company's values of continuous improvement.
• Undertake audits as per targets agreed within the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) plan.
• Assume leadership in managing all high-potential or high-severity incidents, assigning responsibilities to an agreed investigation team. Oversee the completion of incident reports and ensure the closure of corrective actions. Being a point of escalation as agreed on the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) plan.
• Implement corporate standards and governance interpret this and client requirements into local arrangements and ensure successful implementation.
• Work collaboratively with fellow Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Leads, members of the leadership team, and other stakeholders to achieve organisational goals and promote a culture of health and safety excellence.
• Review and authorise Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) documentation, including any modifications to management systems, ensuring compliance with established standards and regulations.
• You will work closely with the wider Operational Team to maintain strong relationships and improve processes/systems wherever possible.
• Support in client-facing performance reviews and engagement forums and where requested attend.
• Approve local induction materials produced by the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Advisors specific to the contract.
• You will support the contract on training and competency requirements, ensuring that the contracts are achieving the highest standards of training compliance.
• Support Operational Leads with arrangements, contents and deliver of safety stand downs or workshops.
• You will lead by example and strive to drive the correct safety behaviours on-site, within depots and within our offices.

Technical Competencies and Experience

• CDM Regulations and Principal Contractor assurance.
• Temporary Works assurance including compliance with BS 5975.
• Confined space entry, rescue planning and permit compliance.
• Lifting operations assurance in accordance with LOLER and BS 7121.
• Excavation safety, buried services, utility avoidance and permit controls.
• Process safety awareness for water and wastewater treatment assets.
• Isolation (mechanical, electrical and process), commissioning and decommissioning activities.
• Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS)
• Environmental Awareness
• Quality Management Systems

Water Sector Experience

• Water networks, infrastructure and assets
• Wastewater networks, infrastructure and assets
• Pumping stations
• Pipeline installation and rehabilitation
• MEICA installation and commissioning

Essential Qualifications

• H&S qualification e.g. NEBOSH Diploma
• IOSH managing safely
• TechIOSH/GradIOSH or working towards Chartered status
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• Temporary Works
• Confined Space Management
• IEMA Foundation or equivalent environmental qualification.
• Internal Auditor qualification
• Accident/investigation training

Key Skills

• Strong technical understanding of construction risk.
• Ability to influence operational teams and contractors.
• Excellent investigation, reporting and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of water industry standards and client frameworks.
• Demonstrate leadership skills, mentor, coach and motivate others
• Strive for excellence and consistently achieve exceptional outcomes.
• Consistently meet or exceed expectations by executing plans effectively and setting ambitious goals to raise standards.
• Demonstrate decisiveness and quick-thinking abilities.
• Skilfully manage time, prioritising tasks to ensure successful completion.
• Proficiently handle multiple priorities, tracking responsibilities with precision.
• Exhibit outstanding analytical, organisational, and decision-making capabilities.
• Take initiative and maintain meticulous attention to detail.
• Showcase enthusiasm and foster strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Success Measures

• Delivery of proactive HSEQ assurance across projects.
• Compliance with CDM and statutory obligations.
• Reduction in repeat audit findings and incidents.
• High-quality support to project delivery teams.