Health & Safety Co-ordinator

Duration:Permanent . A panel may be formed from which future similar vacancies may be filled; such a panel will remain active for a maximum period of 12 months.BackgroundThe Ashtown Food Research Centre is a flagship research, training and innovation Centre within the Teagasc organisation and is pivotal in delivering its mission. Its main functions are to carry out food research and development programmes for the Irish meat, marine, prepared consumer foods, horticultural and other non-dairy sectors as well as hosting educational programmes with the National Botanic Gardens. The Centre hosts at any one time 235 staff and post-graduate students within 7 departments across its existing campus of 28 acres. The Campus is home to a Conference & Training Centre with 8 meeting rooms, a Science Lab, breakout spaces and canteen. Meetings, events and exams are held all year round in this busy setting.The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act (SHWW), 2005 requires that SHWW be actively managed and all measures required ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ be taken by organisations to maintain a safe place of work. An employer has a duty to implement adequate health and safety systems and must prepare a ‘Safety Statement’ or plan for implementation of SHWW. Given that Teagasc comprises major farm operations and research laboratories this is a very important and demanding role that must be undertaken by a suitably qualified individual.Basic FunctionThe successful candidate will work as part of the Ashtown Support team to co-ordinate health and safety and related tasks within the Ashtown Campus. In particular, the Co-ordinator will provide guidance and support to the onsite operating units from both the Food and Research Programmes. It will be the primary function of the Health and Safety Coordinator to support H&S activities thus ensuring that the site meets its responsibilities in these areas. In this regard, the appointee will be required to monitor and advise on adherence to Health and Safety legislation and Teagasc’s policies and procedures through engagement with local management and staff. The Health and Safety Coordinator will work closely with Teagasc’s Internal Health and Safety Officers in the fulfilment of this roleJob ObjectivesProvide guidance and information to Ashtown Safety Management System (SMS) operating unit managers on safety, health and welfare.Possess a positive and flexible approach to working with others in teams.Promote a supportive and open approach to others by working flexibly to achieve ‘win-win’ outcomesReview, support and implement risk assessments and safety statements for Ashtown SMS operating units.Lead and co-ordinate the onsite induction and management of contractors in adherence to Teagasc’s contractor management policy.Investigate accidents and incidents in conjunction with SMS operating unit managers.Assist the Internal H&S Officers in conducting biannual audits of the SMS operating units onsite.Attend monthly meetings to review inspection results, corrective actions and KPIs for the SMS Operating units with respective SMS Operating unit manager and Safety Representatives.Schedule and lead H&S training requirements onsite through:The direct provision of certain training courses, e.g. basic induction, manual handling and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments.Co-ordination of external H&S training providers as required in conjunction with Ashtown’s annual H&S Training Plan.Drive and support SMS operating unit manager safety toolbox talks, H&S training and communications.Administer and support H&S Software issues onsite.Ensure site inventories for chemical/biological agents are up-to-date on the H&S software system.Ensure Emergency Procedures including scheduling of drills are in compliance.Actively contribute to quarterly Campus Safety Committee meetings to provide updates and insights into H&S mattersActively participate in the operation of open days and Teagasc events including the assessment and implementation of associated Health and Safety measures.Be the lead point of contact for the Internal Health and Safety Officer in Ashtown SMS operating units.Report key performance indicators to the Internal Health and Safety Officer on (Near Misses, Good Catches, Corrective Action completion, Meetings held, Risk Assessments conducted, Safe Work Methods documented, Injuries and Ill health, Tool Box Talks conducted, Audit/ Checklist schedule compliance).To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.Skills RequirementQualificationsA Level 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent), in Occupational Safety Health & Welfare at Work.And/OrA Level 6 qualification, (as recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent) in a relevant discipline with significant experience (i.e. 3 years or more) in the area of Health & Safety at Work.DesirableA Level 7 qualification in Occupational Safety Health & Welfare at Work would be a distinct advantageUndergraduate or post-graduate qualification in Occupational Safety Health & Welfare at Work.Undergraduate or post-graduate qualification in chemistry, life sciences, food technology or related discipline.Manual Handling Instructors Course.DSE Assessors Course.Member of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).Skills/KnowledgeTechnical knowledge relating to Safety, Health and Welfare at Work including an ability to interpret and understand relevant Teagasc policies and procedures and the legal framework relating to this area.Experience in preparing workplace risk assessments.Experience in preparing and implementing safety policies and procedures.Exposure to working within or developing/implementing safety management systems.Thorough understanding and appreciation of the public sector and how its governance, procedures and regulations work.Understanding of relationships with stakeholders and government departments.Computer literate with proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and Outlook.Strong oral and written communication skills.DesirableEnvironmental Health & Safety (EHS) experience in the food, pharmaceutical, quality or life sciences sectors.EHS experience in the agricultural sector.Experience in the area of health and safety e.g. membership of OHS committees, project(s) undertaken etc.A commitment to on-going personal and professional development.Behavioural CompetenciesSelf-disciplined, organised and methodical.Ability to work on one’s own initiative and to work collaboratively with others.Ability to persuade and influence others to appropriate course of action.A systematic, considered approach to planning and monitoring.Ability to set clear standards and take a quality customer service approach to work.Flexible with an ability to adapt to changing requirements/priorities.A proactive, solutions-focused approach to work.Strong operational decision-making capacity.A commitment to on-going personal and professional development.Honors commitments and is accountable for own actions and their impact.Takes responsibility for personal development.Demonstrates a willingness to be innovative in terms of the development of improved products or services.Ability to work independently and meet self-imposed milestones and deliverables.Good record of achievement in previous workHas the ability to problem solve and demonstrates a high level of attention to detailDemonstrates a positive approach to new challenges and dissemination of new tasks.Commitment to teamwork and collaborating with colleagues as per our Teagasc Together ethosOtherAs this role will involve driving vehicles, candidates must satisfy and continue to satisfy during employment with Teagasc, legal requirements to drive a car unaccompanied on Irish public roads.Note: The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.Why Join Us?At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives for the benefit of all in our organisation.We are committed to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers and Active Inclusion'. We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.Be part of a forward thinking organisation committed to positive changeWork in a collaborative environment that values your unique perspectiveDrive initiatives that make a lasting impact on workplace cultureJoin Teagasc in creating a workplace where everyone thrives and diversity is celebrated.#If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process please contact a member of our Recruitment Team at recruit@teagasc.ie.