Health and Safety Advisor

Job Description

Job Title: Health & Safety Advisor – High Hazard / Explosives

Location: Newport (Hybrid & Flexible Working Available)

We are recruiting on behalf of a highly regulated, industry‑leading organisation operating within a complex high‑hazard manufacturing environment. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced Health & Safety Advisor with explosives or upper‑tier COMAH experience to join a specialist central high‑hazard team. The role offers the chance to work on technically challenging projects, support significant site investment programmes, and engage directly with regulators and competent authorities.

As Health & Safety Advisor (High Hazard / Explosives), you will provide subject matter expertise across explosive safety and high‑risk operations, supporting both new and existing processes and facilities. You will work closely with operational and engineering teams to ensure compliance with legislation, best practice, and licensing requirements, while helping drive continuous improvement in process safety standards.

• Advise on explosives safety across new and existing processes
• Support the development and licensing of new facilities and operations
• Assist in securing and maintaining explosive licences
• Host and liaise with competent authorities, including regulatory bodies
• Support the development and maintenance of site safety reports
• Manage and mentor a small team of process safety coordinators
• Contribute to emergency planning compliance under COMAH regulations
• Support technical justifications and complex process safety assessments
• Promote and embed best practice across high‑hazard operations

• Proven experience working within an explosives environment
• Strong understanding of explosive hazards, safety cases, effects, and licensing requirements
• Background within the explosives industry or other highly regulated / upper‑tier COMAH environments
• Solid knowledge of relevant HSE guidance including Explosives Regulations 2014, L150 (Safety Provisions) and L151 (Security Provisions)
• Experience writing and implementing explosive safety policies

• NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma (or working towards)
• Knowledge of JSP
  482, DSA OME and AASTP standards
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and audits

You will join a central high hazard function made up of subject matter experts across chemical engineering, explosives, process safety and human factors. The team supports multiple UK sites where high‑risk manufacturing and evaluation activities are undertaken. The organisation is currently investing significantly in new facilities and technologies, creating the opportunity to influence safety standards at the design and implementation stage.

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Annual incentive scheme
• Private healthcare options
• Flexible health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
• Green car scheme
• Retail and lifestyle discounts
• Genuine long‑term career progression within a highly specialised environment

Due to the nature of the work, security clearance and eligibility requirements will apply. Full details can be discussed at application stage.

If you are an experienced explosives or high‑hazard safety professional looking to take the next step within a technically complex and forward‑thinking organisation, we would welcome a confidential discussion. Please apply via our agency for further information.

We are committed to supporting and promoting diversity in the workplace and consider all applications.