About this role
Job summary
QE Facilities Ltd is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and forward-thinking Health and Safety Manager to join our growing SHEQ team, supporting both QE Facilities and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a health and safety professional looking to broaden their experience, develop their leadership skills and diversify their professional portfolio across a wide range of healthcare, estates, facilities and operational services.
Working closely with the Head of SHEQ, you will play a key role in strengthening our safety culture, supporting operational teams, delivering assurance programmes and driving meaningful improvements in health and safety performance.
We are looking for someone who brings strong technical knowledge, a practical and collaborative approach, and a genuine passion for making workplaces safer. Previous NHS experience is desirable but not essential. We welcome applicants from other complex, regulated industries who are keen to develop their knowledge of healthcare and take the next step in their career.
With opportunities to influence organisational change, work alongside a wide range of specialists and contribute to developing our health and safety management arrangements, this role offers excellent scope for professional growth and development.
Main duties of the job
As Health and Safety Manager, you will support the Head of SHEQ in delivering effective health and safety arrangements across QE Facilities Ltd and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Working across a diverse range of clinical, estates, facilities and corporate services, you will provide practical, specialist advice, promote statutory compliance and help embed a positive, proactive safety culture.
Key responsibilities include
- Leading workplace inspections, thematic audits and assurance programmes.
- Advising on health and safety legislation, risk assessments, safe systems of work and statutory compliance.
- Supporting incident investigations, identifying trends and ensuring lessons learned lead to improvements.
- Developing and reviewing health and safety policies, procedures and management arrangements.
- Working with divisional leaders, frontline teams and Safety Champions to strengthen local ownership of safety.
- Analysing performance data and producing reports to support governance and decision-making.
- Collaborating with clinical teams, contractors, trade unions and specialist colleagues to manage risks.
- Supporting continuous improvement in line with ISO 45001 principles.
This varied role offers excellent opportunities to develop your leadership skills, broaden your professional expertise and influence safety across a complex NHS healthcare environment.
About us
QE Facilities (QEF) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, providing essential clinical support, estates, facilities and specialist services that contribute to safe, high-quality patient care.
Our diverse portfolio includes estates management, facilities services, medical engineering, sterile services, transport and logistics, pharmacy and specialist consultancy. We work closely with Gateshead Health and other NHS organisations to deliver safe, effective and sustainable services.
At QEF, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of our professional, passionate workforce and are committed to supporting colleagues to develop, contribute and make a difference.
Our SHEQ team supports both QEF and Gateshead Health, working collaboratively to strengthen safety culture, improve working environments and drive continuous improvement.
Joining our team offers an exciting opportunity to broaden your professional experience across a complex healthcare environment, develop new skills and influence meaningful organisational change.
Employment Information
QEF operates its own terms and conditions of employment, separate from NHS Agenda for Change.
QEF does not currently hold a sponsorship licence and cannot offer visa sponsorship.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Health and Safety Manager will play a key role in supporting the delivery and continuous improvement of health and safety arrangements across QE Facilities Ltd and Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Reporting to the Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), the postholder will provide specialist advice, operational support and assurance across a diverse portfolio of clinical, estates, facilities and corporate services.
The role offers the opportunity to work within a complex and evolving healthcare environment, influencing safety performance, supporting organisational change and promoting a positive and proactive health and safety culture.
Key responsibilities include
Health and Safety Management and Compliance
- Provide competent, practical advice on health and safety legislation, Approved Codes of Practice, NHS guidance and organisational policies.
- Support managers in identifying and managing workplace risks, ensuring suitable and sufficient risk assessments and safe systems of work are in place.
- Develop, review and implement health and safety policies, procedures and guidance to support statutory compliance and continuous improvement.
Audit, Assurance and Performance
- Plan and undertake workplace inspections, thematic audits and assurance reviews across QEF services and agreed Trust areas.
- Analyse incident data, risk assessments, inspections and performance information to identify emerging risks, trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Produce clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations for operational management and health and safety governance groups.
- Monitor improvement actions and support managers in implementing effective and sustainable controls.
Incident Investigation and Learning
- Lead and support investigations into significant health and safety incidents, accidents and near misses.
- Provide advice on statutory reporting requirements, including RIDDOR.
- Promote organisational learning, ensuring investigation findings contribute to improvements in working practices and risk management.
Leadership, Engagement and Safety Culture
- Work collaboratively with senior managers, clinical teams, operational colleagues, contractors and trade union representatives to strengthen local ownership of health and safety.
- Support the development of Safety Champions and encourage meaningful engagement with frontline teams.
- Provide professional guidance, coaching and support to health and safety colleagues, including supervision where delegated.
- Develop and deliver targeted training and briefings to improve health and safety awareness and competence.
Governance and Continuous Improvement
- Support the QEF Safety Group and Joint Health and Safety Group through performance reporting, divisional engagement and escalation of significant risks.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of the organisation's health and safety management arrangements, aligned with the principles of ISO 45001.
- Lead agreed improvement projects and deputise for the Head of SHEQ within delegated authority.
Professional Development
We recognise that healthcare presents a unique range of health and safety challenges and welcome applicants with transferable experience from other complex or regulated environments.
The successful candidate will have opportunities to broaden their professional knowledge, develop leadership and management experience, work alongside specialist healthcare professionals and contribute to shaping the future of health and safety across both organisations.
The postholder will be based primarily at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, with travel to other sites as required.
For further information about the role, including the essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NEBOSH diploma in Occupational Health and Safety (or equivalent leve 6 qualification)
Desirable
- Chartered menbership of IOSH or working towards
- relevant degree, teaching, auditing or investigation qualification
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of UK health and safety law, risk assessment, investigation and occupational health and safety management
- Sound digital skills, inclduingincident reporting and spreadsheett analysis
Desirable
- Knowledge of NHS governance, healthcare estates and facilties and relevant HTMs
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in an occupational health and safety advisory role within an complex regulated organisation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
QE Facilities
Address
NHS Jobs
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gateshead
NE9 6SX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.qefacilities.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)