JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Head of the University Health, Safety and Environment Service
Grade:
Grade 9 (£47,328-£54,841)
Reporting to:
Director of Human Resources
Period:
Permanent
Responsible for:
6 staff
Overall Purpose
To ensure that the University meets the necessary legislative obligations and drive the
continuous improvement of Health, Safety and related Environmental Management in the
University. To facilitate the ongoing development of innovative policies and practices to
ensure that the University is a leader in the field of Health and Safety Management. To
provide advice, support and guidance at Director and Senior Manager level, on all matters
of legal compliance regarding Health, Safety and related Environmental Management.
Duties and Responsibilities

To ensure that the University meets the necessary legislative obligations and drive
the continuous improvement of Health, Safety and related Environmental
Management in the University.

To act as advisor to the University through the Director of Human Resources, and
directly to Faculties/Schools, Departments and individuals on matters of health and
safety.

To facilitate the ongoing development of innovative policies and practices to
ensure that the University is a leader in the field of Health, Safety and related
Environment Management.

To undertake an organisational role in co-ordinating and embedding a positive
safety culture across the university.

To work in partnership with others to help ensure that health and safety is
proactively taken into consideration where relevant, at the planning stage of any
new project.

To direct and manage a team of Health and Safety professionals to provide advice
and guidance to the University.
Page 1 of 4

To provide regular reports and advice to the University Health and Safety
Committee to enable the Committee to fulfill its role in an efficient and effective
manner.

To enable the development and delivery of training in health, safety and relatd
environment matters to meet the needs of departments, including instructing
departmental coordinators.

To manage a programme of first-aid at work training, refresher training, and the
management of the first-aid honorarium payments.

To liaise with external health and safety organisations and be a point of contact for
health and safety and environment enforcement agencies

To give a high profile of health, safety and environmental protection to all members
of the University community.

To be a key point of contact to staff responsible for the design and construction of
new buildings, and for the modification of existing buildings, on matters which
affect safety (other than on the Building Regulations etc).

To ensure that the university has access to specialist health and safety advice in
respect fire safety and, in particular, to ensure the development and
implementation of the University’s fire risk assessment programme.

To be the focal point for occupational health services including arrangements for
the provision of expert opinion and the provision and management of a programme
of health surveillance, ill-health referrals and pre-employment screening.

To put in place measures to audit, monitor and review health, safety and
environmental management practices for legislative compliance.

To enable the investigation of accidents and compilation of accident data; to cooperate with staff responsible for insurance and other related matters.

To ensure that any particular health and safety needs of people with disabilities
are adequately considered.

To act as advisor to the Senior Management of the University, to Faculties,
Departments and individuals directly on matters relating to the environmental
aspects of health and safety and associated legislation (examples would include
the impact of radiation, asbestos, legionella, hazardous waste, fire water run-off
etc).

To assist in promoting environmental and sustainability issues throughout the
University by active participation in committees.

To advise the University on developments in legislation and best practice which
may impact upon the environmental elements of health and safety.

To undertake such other reasonable duties as may be allocated by the Director of
Human Resources.
Page 2 of 4

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Competency
Professional Skills
Skills, Knowledge
and Experience
Communication
Description
Essential/
Desirable
Essential
1.1
Chartered member of IOSH
1.2
NEBOSH Diploma in general health
and safety or similar
Essential
1.3
Degree in natural science, social
science, health & safety or
engineering discipline
Desirable
1.4
Post graduate management
qualification
Desirable
1.5
Qualification in construction health
and safety or similar
Desirable
1.6
NEBOSH qualification in
Environmental Management or
similar
Desirable
1.7
Associate member of IEMA
Desirable
1.8
Evidence of ongoing CPD
Essential
2.1
Comprehensive knowledge of health
and safety and related
environmental legislation
Essential
2.2
Experience in a senior role in health,
safety and environment in an
environment with complex multidisciplinary issues.
Essential
2.3
Computer literacy enabling the
effective use of the Microsoft suite of
packages
Essential
2.4
Leadership experience in a Health
and Safety role within a complex
organisation.
Essential
3.1
Ability to liaise with appropriate
regulatory authorities for Health and
Safety, Environment and Fire.
Essential
3.2
High level of interpersonal skill with
an effective and flexible
interpersonal style to ensure
influence and credibility with senior
managers, staff and trade unions.
Essential
Page 3 of 4
Managing Work
Personal
Effectiveness
3.3
Excellent written and verbal skills in
order to work with, provide advice to,
train, and promote excellence in
health and safety to staff at all levels
Essential
3.4
Ability to work within and contribute
to teams of other professionals
Essential
4.1
Able to work to a programme and
meet deadlines, be able to organise
and prioritise work
Essential
4.2
Ability to organise work of the
department and coordinate activities
of other members of the unit to
contribute
effectively
to
implementation of the health and
safety and environment strategy of
the University
Essential
5.1
Proactive with good ability to initiate
projects and activities which will
improve the health safety and
environmental performance of the
University.
Essential
5.2
Able to motivate for change and
improved performance, both within
the the University Health, Safety and
Environment Service and the wider
University.
Essential
5.3
Desirable
Willingness to participate in activities
outside of the direct scope of the
department. e.g. business continuity
issues.
Further Particulars
The University of Bath’s Health, Safety and Environment Service has responsibility for
maintaining a health and safety management system, for providing advice to academic
and service departments, and for monitoring the system through a programme of audits.
The main function of the Service is to provide advice and support on all matters of health,
safety and related environmental management with regards to the University’s
undertaking; to enable the provision of specialist advice in respect wellbeing, fire safety,
hazardous waste, science safety, construction safety etc; to be the key point of contact in
respect of occupational health and to manage the external occupational health service at
the Royal United Hospital; to work in partnership with other teams and departments to
ensure that the same health and safety principles are followed in respect of both students
and staff. In summary the Service ensures that the University meet their responsibilities in
health and safety management.
Page 4 of 4