Job Description
Job title:
Department/School:
Grade:
Location:
Scientific Safety Manager
Human Resources
8
Wessex House
Job purpose
To carry out a position of responsibility within the University as the lead Health &
Safety adviser in respect of the high risk hazards of chemical, biological and
radiological safety. To work with Departments across the University to implement
controls which help minimise the risks arising from teaching and research. To
provide specialist advice in the risk management of lab safety, to find innovative
ways of fostering a positive safety culture among lab workers and to help ensure
legal and policy compliance. To participate as a key adviser in relevant audits,
inspections and fire risk assessments to ensure consistency and provide professional
expertise. To develop and provide lead support for the new University Science
Safety Sub-Committee and to participate in selected Departmental Health & Safety
Committee meetings. To be the key coordinator in respect of scientific safety
management across the University, to manage the radiation protection facilities and
to work closely with the relevant statutory agencies.
Source and nature of management provided
Head of University Health, Safety & Environment Service
Staff management responsibility
No direct reportees
Career and Professional Development Activities
From time to time you may also be asked to assist in the facilitation of CPD
activities. This will form part of your substantive role and you will not receive
additional payment for these activities.
Special conditions
Managing ionising radiation work
Main duties and responsibilities
0.3 FTE – Radiological protection
0.3 FTE – Chemical Safety
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0.4 FTE – Biological Safety
1. To take primary
responsibility for managing
radiological protection at
the University by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2. To act as the
University’s Chemical
Safety Adviser by:
•
•
•
3. To act as the
University’s Biological
Safety Adviser by:
•
•
•
4. To be the key
coordinator for any new
work proposed in respect
of work with genetically
modified organisms:
•
•
•
5.To be a specialist Health
& Safety advisor within the
•
Acting as the University Radiation Protection
Officer with key responsibility for managing the
radiation protection storage facilities.
Liaising and coordinating the work of the
Departmental Radiation Protection Supervisors
to ensure compliance with University policy and
good practice
Liaising with the appointed Radiation Protection
Adviser as and when necessary
Ensuring that suitable environmental permits
are in place, reviewing as necessary and
liaising with the appropriate enforcement
agencies.
Ensuring legislative compliance through the use
of a suitable management system to monitor the
provision and use of radiological matter.
Organising health surveillance to monitor doses,
analysing data and ensuring the maintenance of
suitable records.
Ensuring that waste accumulation for decay and
disposal is monitored
Providing advice and guidance to help ensure
any work involving chemical matter is planned
and carried out in accordance with legislation
and good practice
Participating in the development of policies,
procedures and other reports to help aid the
understanding of those working with chemicals
Providing advice and support to the Head of
UHSE in respect of chemical safety and to bring
to his/her attention matters of concern.
Putting in place and managing a sound system
for registering those intending to work with GM
material
Supporting and coordinating the work of the
committee set up to manage GM Safety in
accordance with legislation.
Providing advice and support to the Head of
UHSE in respect of biological safety and to
bring to his/her attention matters of concern.
To service and support the University
committee established to manage work with
genetically modified organisms.
To implement and manage a system for
recording and monitoring GM work in
accordance with legislation
To provide guidance and advice to those
interested or intending to work with GM material
Participating in the development of policies,
procedures and other reports in respect of
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University Health, Safety &
Environment Service by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
chemical, biological, radiological and laboratory
safety.
To lead incident investigations where
appropriate to do so.
To participate in audits relevant to chemical,
biological, radiological and laboratory work.
Maintaining professional expertise and
disseminating appropriate information to
colleagues as necessary
To represent UHS&E interests on operational
working groups and committees as required.
To work with HoDs, and academic staff where
appropriate, to ensure that specialist advice in
respect of health and safety is understood and
to provide relevant constructive support.
To ensure that expert and timely advice is
provided to academic and technical staff in
workshops, laboratories and experimental
research spaces on technical matters that
reflect current and future work capabilities on a
continous improvement basis.
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Appendix B
Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Assessed by
A/F
I/T
R

Qualifications

First degree in either Biology or
Chemistry
NEBOSH Diploma in General Health &
Safety or equivalent



NEBOSH Certificate in General Health
& Safety or equivalent


Radiation Protection qualification
preferably to RPA status


Member of IOSH













Experience/Knowledge
Substantial experience in a middle
management or senior safety role
working within a laboratory /workshop
environment with responsibility for
biological, chemical or radiological
material.

Extensive health & safety experience
gained within a science based
organisation

Experience of the higher education
sector

Close and extensive work/knowledge
with ionising radiation or radiation
protection

Project management experience in
developing and implementing initiatives
to improve processes and systems
related to technical support provisions.
Human Resources

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10/02/2016
Appendix B
Skills
Negotiating, persuading, influencing to
get others to adopt suggested practice.

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
Good communication, good listener
and willing to adapt own ideas and
ways or relating information

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Attributes
Actively seek to promote positive and
open working relationships, co-operating
and liaising with others to achieve goals
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A positive approach to meet the needs of
our students, staff, clients and partners.
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
Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References
Human Resources
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10/02/2016