QHSE Manager

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Role Purpose

The QHSE Officer supports safe, compliant, and efficient operations across both facility environments (workshops, offices, site infrastructure) and R&D environments (labs, prototype areas, and test facilities).

The role manages risks associated with routine operations and non-routine experimental activity, ensuring regulatory compliance, safe equipment operation, environmental responsibility, and a strong QHSE culture.

Key Responsibilities

Health & Safety - Facilities & Site Operations

• Ensure compliance with UK H&S legislation including the Health & Safety at Work Act, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, RIDDOR, Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, and DSEAR.
• Conduct inspections of workshops, plant rooms, storage areas, offices, and facility equipment.
• Review or maintain Safe Systems of Work (SSoW), risk assessments, method statements, and workplace procedures.
• Support contractor management: permit to -work-, inductions, RAMS review, and site supervision.
• Monitor workspaces for good housekeeping, ergonomics, manual handling safety, and workplace behaviours.
• Lead or support incident investigations and provide corrective and preventive action follow up-.
• Lead/support ISO 45001 and 14001 Compliance & Audits
• Facilitate HSE meetings/ forums
• Site HSE reporting
• Support contractor site permits
• Administrator of Site Equipment Asset Management system

Health & Safety - R&D, Laboratories & Experimental

• Conduct R&D-specific risk assessments reviews covering:
• experimental hazards
• chemical handling and lab safety
• prototype and test rig operations
• mechanical/rotational equipment
• electrical/high energy- systems
• new materials and composites manufacture
• Review Risk Assessments.
• Support safe design, commissioning, and operation of test rigs and experimental equipment.
• Oversee chemical safety management: COSHH assessments, inventory, storage, and disposal.
• Inspect laboratories, fume cupboards, LEV systems, emergency controls, and specialist R&D facilities.
• Provide safety guidance on use of specialist equipment
• Maintain compliance with ISO 45001

Environmental Responsibilities

• Support compliance with environmental regulations and site permits.
• Oversee waste management for both facility and laboratory operations:
• general waste
• chemical/biological waste
• composite and specialised materials
• Monitor environmental impacts, emissions, effluent controls, and energy usage in high consumption- R&D equipment.
• Promote sustainable practices in site operations and experimental programmes.
• Support site sustainability strategy
• Conduct ISO 14001 aspect-impact assessments

Training & Competence

• Deliver training covering
• Facility safety rules
• COSHH & chemical management
• Risk management
• Emergency response
• Manual Handling
• Provide HSE inductions tailored to contractors, engineers, researchers, students, and visitors.
• Support competency tracking and refresher training schedules.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain all HSE documentation for both facility and R&D operations, including:
• inspections & audits
• incident reports
• equipment safety records
• COSHH files
• Prepare HSE performance reports for leadership and participate in internal/external audits.
• Represent site in HSE forums
• Administrator for site Equipment and Asset Management system, however not responsible for the execution of planned and preventative maintenance including calibration.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of both facilities based- HSE requirements and laboratory/R&D safety.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, facility layouts, technical documentation, and test plans.
• Effective communicator capable of working with scientists, engineers, technicians, contractors, and managers.
• Analytical, detail oriented-, and able to manage diverse safety risks across multiple environments.
• Proactive, influential, and confident in dynamic and innovative settings.
• Meeting facilitation

Qualifications & Experience

• NEBOSH General Certificate (essential).
• Additional qualification or experience with COSHH, Incident Investigation, ISO 45001 and 14001, Fire Safety, Environmental Management, LOTO, or risk assessment desirable.
• Experience in mixed environments such as R&D laboratories, engineering workshops, and facility operations.
• Additional training such as First Aid, Fire Marshal, or spill response advantageous.

Key Behaviours

• Champions safety across both routine facility operations and innovative R&D activities.
• Calm, structured, and decisive during abnormal events or experiments.
• Collaborative, supportive, and constructive in multidisciplinary environments.
• Proactive in identifying risks, improving processes, and driving HSE culture.