Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Health and Safety Advisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Health and Safety (H&S) Advisor is a cornerstone of organizational integrity and employee well-being. This role serves as the on-the-ground expert and advocate for all health, safety, and environmental matters. More than just a compliance officer, the H&S Advisor is a coach, consultant, and champion, tasked with embedding a proactive safety culture deep within the fabric of the organization. They are the go-to person for practical advice, risk mitigation strategies, and incident response, working collaboratively across all departments to ensure that safety is not just a policy, but a lived value for every team member.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Health and Safety Coordinator or Administrator
Graduate Trainee in an EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) program
Skilled Technician or Team Leader with a strong aptitude for and qualification in safety

Advancement To:

Senior Health and Safety Advisor
Health and Safety Manager or EHS Manager
Head of Health, Safety, and Environment

Lateral Moves:

Risk Manager or Compliance Manager
Quality Assurance Advisor
Environmental or Sustainability Advisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Champion and promote a positive, proactive health and safety culture across all levels of the organization through visible leadership, engagement, and communication initiatives.
Develop, implement, and continuously review comprehensive health and safety policies, procedures, and management systems to ensure they remain effective and compliant with current legislation (e.g., ISO 45001).
Conduct thorough and systematic workplace risk assessments, including general, fire, COSHH, DSE, and manual handling, documenting findings and ensuring effective control measures are implemented and maintained.
Lead comprehensive incident and accident investigations, utilizing root cause analysis (RCA) techniques to identify underlying failures and develop robust corrective and preventive action plans to prevent recurrence.
Act as the primary point of contact and provide competent, pragmatic advice and guidance to managers and employees on all health and safety-related matters.
Plan, coordinate, and deliver engaging and effective health and safety training, toolbox talks, and new starter inductions to enhance safety awareness and competency across the workforce.
Perform regular site inspections and formal audits to monitor compliance with company policies and legal standards, preparing detailed reports on findings and tracking actions to closure.
Manage and maintain all essential health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, training records, inspection reports, and accident statistics, ensuring they are accurate and readily accessible.
Liaise effectively with external bodies, including regulatory authorities (like the HSE or OSHA), insurance companies, and external auditors, during inspections and inquiries.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for health and safety, analyzing trends to identify areas for improvement and reporting performance to senior management.
Manage contractor safety by reviewing their documentation, conducting pre-commencement checks, and monitoring their on-site activities to ensure they adhere to company safety standards.
Advise on the specific safety requirements for new equipment, processes, and construction projects, ensuring risks are managed from the design and procurement stages.
Coordinate and facilitate regular health and safety committee meetings, ensuring they are productive forums for consultation and collaboration between management and employees.
Maintain the organization's accident reporting system (e.g., RIDDOR), ensuring all legally reportable incidents are submitted accurately and within the required timeframes.
Develop, test, and review emergency preparedness plans and procedures, including fire evacuation drills and first aid response, to ensure an effective response to crisis situations.
Keep abreast of new and upcoming health, safety, and environmental legislation, industry best practices, and new technologies, assessing their potential impact on the organization and advising management accordingly.
Support occupational health initiatives, such as health surveillance programs and employee wellness campaigns, to protect and enhance the long-term well-being of the workforce.

Secondary Functions

Support the development and implementation of environmental and sustainability initiatives where they overlap with health and safety management.
Participate in cross-functional projects, providing health and safety input to ensure risks are considered and managed throughout the project lifecycle.
Assist the procurement department in vetting new suppliers and materials to ensure they meet the organization's safety and compliance standards.
Contribute to the organization's business continuity planning by providing expert advice on risks related to employee safety and workplace accessibility.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Knowledge: Deep and practical understanding of national health and safety legislation (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act, CDM, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER).
Risk Assessment: Proven ability to conduct a wide range of detailed and suitable risk assessments and recommend pragmatic control measures.
Incident Investigation: Expertise in leading structured incident investigations using established methodologies like Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or 5-Why.
Management Systems: Experience in implementing and maintaining H&S management systems, with knowledge of ISO 45001 being highly desirable.
Auditing & Inspection: Formal training or significant experience in conducting internal health and safety audits and producing actionable reports.
Training Delivery: Competence in designing and delivering effective and engaging safety training sessions and toolbox talks to diverse audiences.

Soft Skills

Influencing & Negotiation: The ability to influence behaviors and decisions at all levels, from the shop floor to the boardroom, without direct authority.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical information clearly and concisely.
Pragmatism & Problem-Solving: A solutions-oriented mindset, able to apply safety principles in a practical way that supports business operations.
Resilience & Composure: The capacity to remain calm, professional, and decisive during high-pressure situations and emergency incidents.
Stakeholder Management: Skill in building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with internal managers, employees, contractors, and external bodies.
Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to documentation, investigation, and compliance monitoring to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A recognized qualification in Occupational Health and Safety, such as the NEBOSH National General Certificate or an equivalent diploma.

Preferred Education:

A NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Professional membership with a body like IOSH (TechIOSH or GradIOSH) is highly valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Occupational Health and Safety
Environmental Science or Management
Engineering or a related technical field

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of dedicated experience in a health and safety advisory role.

Preferred:

Experience within a high-risk industry (e.g., manufacturing, construction, logistics, energy) and/or a multi-site environment is often preferred. Demonstrable experience in driving cultural change and improving safety performance metrics is a significant asset.