Job Description

New job

Significantly amended job

Minor amendments from previous X

Job title Health, Safety and Security Officer

Reports to Health, Safety and Security Manager

Pay band 6

Directorate Quality & Clinical Care

Banding status Indicative A4C confirmed

(please tick one) X – 07/08/2014

Job summary
(overview of role/remit)

The post holder will provide professional skills and expertise to achieve the Trust’s vision
and objectives for health, safety and security. The post holder will ensure high quality
local delivery of this work, according to legislative requirements, standards, advice and
guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or other relevant bodies.

The overall objective of the role will be to work on behalf of South Western Ambulance
Service (SWAST) to deliver an environment that is safe and secure so that the highest
standards of clinical care can be made available to patients. This objective will be
achieved by working in close partnership with stakeholders at all levels within the Trust
and external organisations such as the Police, professional representative bodies and
trade unions.

The post holder will aim to provide a comprehensive, inclusive and professional service to
the Trust and work towards the creation of a pro-health, safety and security culture.

The post holder will be required to influence the reduction of health, safety and security
related incidents across SWAST, developing reporting mechanisms for improving the use
of incident data to reduce risks.

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The post holder will at all times promote and uphold the values and beliefs of the Trust, be
focused on delivering the highest quality patient care, and improving the working lives of
staff.

The duties and responsibilities of the post will be undertaken in accordance with the
policies, procedures and practices of the Trust, which may be amended from time to time.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities,
but to give an indication of the main areas of activity and involvement. The post holder will
also be required to apply for DBS Disclosure.

Main duties and responsibilities

(bullet points providing detail of responsibilities)

 Maintain up to date knowledge of new or impending legislation and any other

mandatory NHS instructions relating to area of work.

 Keep up to date on developments and modern safety processes and techniques and
advise the Trust accordingly.

 Provide competent proactive and reactive health and safety advice and support to all
levels within the Trust, and across a wide and complex range of subjects, including
risk assessment, incident reporting and investigation.

 Promote a positive health and safety culture across the Trust.

 Promote the Trust’s health and safety practice in order that the highest standards are
achieved.

 Provide risk assessment training to managers as required

 Support the implementation of health and safety activities, working within relevant
health and safety legislation and trust strategies.

 Implement policies for own work area and proposes any relevant changes.

 Analyse and collate complex and sensitive data concerning accident/incident reports,
accident statistics, etc. and draft in an appropriate format for provision to
management and health and safety representatives.

 Produce regular reports involving prolonged concentration on statistics of

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 accident/incidents.

 Provide advice and guidance to managers in the investigation of RIDDOR incidents.

Where necessary assist with the completion of the investigation of a RIDDOR.

 Develop, implement, and report on a programme of health and safety inspections and
audits for a designated operational region as part of the Trustwide programme
developed by the Health, Safety and Security Manager. These will include
housekeeping standards, compliance with formal safety standards, environmental
and ergonomic controls.

 Develop a work plan following the health and safety inspections and monitor on a
regular basis, updating actions when completed. Work closely with departments
identified with outstanding actions.

 Conduct random safety checks to:

o Assess the risks present in a specific work area, work place or process to
identify unsafe working conditions and practices;

o Carry out display screen equipment workstation assessments on stand-

alone work stations and carry out face-to-face assessments when required;

o Make recommendations to remedy any defects found; and ensure any

recommendations made are acted upon.

 Advise on safe systems of work, including providing advice on the provision and use
of appropriate protective equipment.

 Advise on safety aspects in the design and use of plant and equipment, including the
checking of new equipment before commissioning.

 Assist with the completion of risk assessments for equipment and all aspects of Trust
work activities.

 Carry out noise assessment when required on equipment and vehicles.

 Develop and maintain in depth working knowledge of key health and safety areas
such as Display Screen Equipment, Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos, Legionnaires,
Manual Handling, Workplace Safety.

 Carry out Fire Risk Assessments of Trust sites.

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  Develop annual action plans relevant to area of work for sign off by the Health, Safety
and Security Manager and ensure implementation.

 Support the population of effective data management systems to support the Trust’s
health, safety and security function.

 Ensure those directly involved in health and safety management act in accordance
with their defined responsibilities, rectifying any problems and alerting the Health,
Safety and Security Manager when disagreements cannot be resolved.

 In the absence of the Health, Safety and Security Administrator, ensure health, safety
and security incident reports are handled in accordance with the Trust’s Incident
Reporting Policy.

 Support the Trust’s nominated Local Security Management Specialist (LSMS), whose
role is to ensure the local delivery of security management standards and working
within national legal frameworks for tackling violence and security management.

 Support all security management work to ensure it is carried out within a professional
and ethical framework.

 Assist with the management of warning markers and provide guidance to managers
and investigators of the requirements to provide evidence on alleged incident.

 Deputise for the Health, Safety and Security Manager as required.

 Support an inclusive approach to security management work to ensure it involves

both internal and external NHS stakeholders where appropriate and necessary.

 Report to the Health, Safety and Security Manager on security management matters.

 Support day to day work to tackle violence against Trust staff.

 Support the work to ensure security related issues are an integral part of the Trust’s
management processes.

 Support the work to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to create a pro-security
culture and that security incidents/breaches are detected and reported.

 Support the work to ensure that lessons learnt from security incidents/breaches are
disseminated both locally and nationally so that appropriate preventative measures
can be developed.

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  Support the work to ensure that security incidents are reported promptly to allow
investigations to take place, risks to be assessed and to allow the development of
preventative measures, including participation in local and national risk identification
projects.

 Complete the Trust’s mandatory training requirement identified for the role.

 Maintain IOSH Accreditation via IOSH CPD as required for the role – attending
internal and external training and identifying additional training requirements for the
role.

 Identify Trust staff and management training needs and advise and assist the Trust in
ensuring these needs are met.

 Support the delivery of health and safety and security management training in
accordance with the Trust’s Training Needs Analysis.

 In liaison with line managers, the Head of Education, and Directors promote and,
where appropriate, participate in programmes to raise safety consciousness at all
levels.

 Support the provision of information about accident prevention techniques and

prepare visual aids, posters, etc. for display.

 The post holder will be a member or representative at any Trust Committee and/or
Working Group as necessary in accordance with the requirements of their role or as
delegated by their line manager or other, and will present papers or reports as
appropriate (either as the author or delegate).

 Attend external meetings as required, this includes meetings held outside the Trust’s
geographical area.

 Attend local meetings as required and present reports on health, safety, and security
issues for that locality.

 Support the co-ordination of information, briefing and instruction across the Trust, on
health and safety, and security management obligations and the responsibilities of
staff and managers.

 Assist managers to update staff, as appropriate, on general and specific matters

affecting health and safety, and security management associated with the Trust’s
work.

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  Assist in the development of annual work plans concerning health, safety and
security, in conjunction with the Health, Safety and Security Manager.

 Maintain liaison with specialist NHS advisors in other ambulance/hospital trusts and
other official government bodies.

 Treat everyone, with whom you come into contact, with dignity and respect.

 Promote Equality & Diversity and a non-discriminatory culture.

 Identify and take action when other people’s behaviour undermines Equality and
Diversity.

 Take a part in activities that lead to personal and/or team growth.

 Attend training or undertake qualifications as required by the role.

 Attend supervision and appraisal sessions with the Health, Safety and Security
Manager.

 Take a lead in identifying own development needs.

Standard Role Requirements

Health and Safety
To take reasonable care for own health and safety and that of others who may be
affected by the postholder’s actions at work.

No Smoking Policy
The buildings, grounds and car parks owned or managed by the Trust are smoke-free
zones and smoking is not permitted whilst on NHS/Trust premises; attending external
meetings on behalf of the Trust; wearing NHS/Trust-identifiable clothing or other
markings, or whilst in NHS/Trust vehicles.

Risk
To develop and implement robust systems for risk management across the areas of
responsibility of the post. To be responsible and accountable for risk in these areas.

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To be personally responsible for not undertaking any task or action which would
knowingly cause risk to self, others, or to the Trust.
As far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent other people from undertaking tasks or
actions which would knowingly cause risks to themselves, others, or to the Trust.
To identify and report actual or potential hazards/risks in the work environment in
accordance with Trust policies.
To participate in briefing/training sessions and carry out any agreed control measures and
duties as instructed.
Take immediate action to minimise risks where it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Records Management, Confidentiality and Security of Information

To adhere to Trust policies and procedures as directed in training and guidelines and as
advised by relevant colleagues (including designated Local Records Manager) in relation
to creating records and handling information. Undertake action as required to implement
and comply with these policies and procedures. To report any non-compliance.
To maintain confidentiality in relation to personal data held for colleagues and patients,
ensuring it is processed lawfully; for no purpose other than for which it was obtained; is
relevant to that purpose; is retained for no longer than is necessary; is processed in
accordance with the rights of the subject to access and accuracy; and is protected from
accidental loss or damage in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act
1998, and records management guidance.
To maintain confidentiality of patient-identifiable personal data using a non-identifiable
alternative, where practicable, and limiting access on a strictly need to know basis in
accordance with the responsibilities of the Trust’s Caldicott Guardian.

Infection Control
Responsible for ensuring the effective implementation and monitoring of infection
prevention and control in all areas within his/her area of responsibility to ensure continued
compliance of the Trust with the Health Act 2006, Health and Social Care Act 2008 and
any future Acts of Parliament regarding infection prevention and control. Adhere to the
Infection Prevention and Control policy at all times, providing clear leadership and
promotion of responsible attitudes towards infection prevention and control
Responsible for infection prevention and control within his/her area of responsibility,
ensuring the effective implementation and monitoring of infection prevention and control
under his/her control. Ensure infection prevention and control audits are undertaken in
their area of responsibility, as requested by the Director with responsibility for infection
prevention and control.
To ensure that relevant staff, contractors and other persons, whose normal duties are
directly or indirectly concerned with patient care, receive suitable and sufficient training,

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information and supervision on the measures required to prevent and control risks of
infection, so far as reasonably practicable.
Alcohol handrub must be carried at all times whilst in uniform; good hand hygiene must
be maintained.
Responsible for including infection prevention and control within the managerial job
descriptions and appraisals of all managers under his/her control.

Patient and Public Involvement

To be aware of responsibilities under sections 7 and 11 of the Health and Social Care Act
2001 to involve patients and the public in the ongoing planning, development and delivery
of health services, and to involve patients in their own care, as far as is reasonably
practicable.

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Person Specification
Essential Desirable

Education and Degree or equivalent relevant Chartered Member of

qualifications experience. IOSH.

NEBOSH General Certificate NEBOSH Fire Risk Management

in Occupational Safety and Certificate.
Health (or equivalent
qualification). NHS-recognised Security
Management Qualification (or be
NEBOSH Diploma in working towards this).
Occupational Health and
Safety Management (or
equivalent qualification); or be
working towards this.

Technical Member of IOSH.

Evidence of Continuing
Professional Development.

Full UK driving licence.

Previous Significant experience in a NHS experience.

experience (Paid/ similar health and safety role.
Unpaid relevant Experience of incident
to job) investigation and root cause
Excellent working knowledge
analysis techniques.
of current health and safety
related legislation.
Experience in health and safety
auditing.

Skills, Ability to interpret complex

knowledge, health and safety law into the
ability working environment in order
to ensure compliance by the
Trust.

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 Able to analyse detailed, and
often complex, information and
identify trends.

Able to write in-depth reports

identifying good working
practices and areas for
improvement.

Able to receive, analyse and

communicate information
which may be highly sensitive
or contentious to a variety of
audiences.

Required to ensure and

implement equal opportunities.

Excellent organisational,
communication and
presentation skills.

IT skills (Word, Powerpoint and

Excel).

High level of written and verbal

communication skills.

Able to interpret legislation and

identify implications for the
Trust.

Able to travel to other sites

within Trust’s geographical
area.

Aptitude and Able to pass the Disclosure

personal and Barring Service Checks.
characteristics
Good interpersonal skills –
displaying discretion, flexibility
and diplomacy.

Able to work as part of a team.

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 Able to meet unforeseen strict,
short deadlines.

Able to deal with difficult

situations/people in a variety of
circumstances.

Enthusiastic approach.

Demonstrate a commitment
and recognition to the core
values and beliefs of an
employee of the NHS.

Able to deliver on the NHS

constitutional patient pledges
and rights.

Committed to high quality

patient care and patient
experience.
Respectful to and able to
promote equality in
opportunity, employment and
service delivery.

Committed to continuous
professional development and
personal growth.

Able to ensure care of own

health and wellbeing to
promote improvements to
physical and emotional
wellbeing.

Able to work within the trust’s

attendance target.

Ability to perform the

requirements of the post to an
acceptable standard.

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 Demonstrates a positive and
flexible approach in line with
the changing nature of the trust
service delivery model.

Committed to the values based

principles of high quality
patient care to include;
compassion; care;
competence; communication;
courage and commitment in all
aspects of service delivery.

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