Health & Safety officer; part-time

A great opportunity now exists to join our growing team at our R&D facility, right outside the iconic F1 circuit here in Silverstone. If you have a passion for Health & Safety within an automotive engineering, manufacturing and R&D centre of excellence, and you have the required skills, knowledge and experience to fulfil the role of Health & Safety Officer, then please apply today.

Purpose of the Job

The Health & Safety Officer will provide operational leadership, on a part-time basis for health, safety and environmental compliance across our engineering, testing, prototype build and office environments.

This is a hands-on, role suited to an experienced professional who can work autonomously in an SME setting, balancing legal compliance, risk management and safety culture development in a fast-paced, high-technology R&D and manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

Governance, Compliance & Leadership:

• Operate as the company’s competent person for Health & Safety under UK legislation, ensuring compliance with all statutory obligations and industry best practice
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve the company’s Health & Safety Management System
• Provide professional advice to the Head of HR, senior leadership and engineering managers on health, safety and regulatory matters
• Monitor and interpret changes in legislation and ensure timely implementation across the business
• Lead and conduct risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) for engineering, test, workshop, high-voltage and prototype build activities

Safety Management for:

• High-voltage systems
• Mechanical and electrical testing environments
• Manual handling and workshop operations
• Contractor and visitor safety
• Ensure suitable controls are implemented, monitored and reviewed
• Lead investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses, ensuring root cause analysis and effective corrective and preventative actions
• Maintain statutory records and reporting, including RIDDOR where applicable
• Prepare safety performance reports, trend analysis and compliance dashboards for senior management
• Training & Safety Culture

Develop and deliver targeted H&S training and briefings including:

• Induction training
• Workshop and test safety
• Fire safety and emergency response
• Promote a positive safety culture through engagement, communication and continuous improvement initiatives
• Conduct planned and ad-hoc safety inspections and internal audits
• Support external audits, customer assessments and regulatory inspections
• Contribute to the development of systems aligned to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 (where applicable)
• Support wellbeing initiatives including ergonomic assessments, occupational health coordination and mental wellbeing programmes
• Lead and support the development of the company’s Environmental Management System (EMS) in line with ISO 14001

Identify and manage environmental risks and impacts, including:

• Waste management and recycling
• Energy use and sustainability initiatives
• Hazardous materials handling and disposal
• Environmental compliance obligations
• Support environmental audits, customer assessments and continuous improvement plans

Competencies, Skills and Experience

Strong working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation, including:

• Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
• Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations
• COSHH
• PUWER
• LOLER
• RIDDOR
• Proven experience in a technical, engineering, manufacturing or R&D environment
• Ability to operate autonomously in an SME, managing priorities with minimal supervision
• Experience conducting accident investigations and formal risk assessments
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence engineers, managers and senior leadership
• Strong report writing, documentation and organisational skills
• Attention to detail, identifying potential hazards and ensuring that all safety measures are implemented correctly and consistently
• Experience in automotive, EV, high-voltage, defence or regulated industrial environments
• Familiarity with ISO 45001 / ISO 14001 frameworks
• Experience supporting customer, regulatory or defence-sector audits
• Qualifications
• NEBOSH Certificate or Diploma (preferred)
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. IOSH) desirable

Working Pattern

This role is offered on a part-time basis (22.5 hours per week / 3 days). Flexibility in working days can be agreed, subject to business needs, periods of operational audits, and risk activities etc.