Health & Safety Officer NEW

Reading, Oxfordshire
Focus Resourcing

Health & Safety Officer

Location: Hybrid (Reading Office and On-Site)
Hours: 7:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Our client is seeking a dedicated and experienced Health & Safety Officer to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) standards across the organisation. This is a key operational role, responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards while promoting a strong, positive safety culture throughout the business.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders and operational teams to embed best practice, manage risk effectively, and ensure safe working environments across sites, workshops, and offices.

Key Responsibilities

Health, Safety & Environmental Management

• Lead the practical implementation of health and safety policies, procedures and systems across the organisation.
• Deliver training, inductions, toolbox talks and awareness sessions to ensure staff understanding and compliance.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Quality to support and enhance environmental management plans and health and safety management systems.
• Promote a proactive culture of safety, responsibility and continuous improvement across all departments.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead and review risk assessments, including RAMS, COSHH, HAVS, noise and workshop/manufacturing activities.
• Ensure compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act, Construction Regulations, COSHH and other applicable statutory requirements.
• Support operational teams in the development of method statements, safe systems of work and project-specific safety plans.
• Maintain accurate records of risk assessments, audits, training and compliance documentation.

Monitoring, Auditing & Inspections

• Conduct regular inspections of sites, workshops and offices.
• Oversee contractor and subcontractor compliance, including the review of RAMS and control measures.
• Coordinate and support internal and external audits, working with Quality, HR and Finance to maintain external accreditations and certifications.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities and external auditors as required.

Incident & Investigation Management

Lead accident and incident investigations, including root cause analysis.
Produce timely, high-quality investigation reports with clear recommendations and corrective actions.
Track corrective and preventive actions to completion and report on performance against KPIs.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and industry standards.
• Demonstrable experience conducting audits, inspections, investigations and root cause analysis.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, EN 1090 and construction product governance.
• Understanding of the Building Safety Act and Golden Thread requirements.
• CSCS card (SMSTS/SSSTS preferred).
• Full UK driving licence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills with high attention to detail and accurate record-keeping.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within construction, manufacturing or engineering environments.
• NEBOSH General Certificate (or working towards).
• IOSH Managing Safely.
• Trained auditor for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001.
• First Aid and/or Fire Marshal certification.
• Experience with fa ade or balcony systems.