HAR-013864 – Health & Safety Enforcement Officer

Job Details

Work Pattern: Hybrid, 35 hours per week

PAYE Pay Rate: £21.93 per hour

Main Purpose of the Role

To protect employees, businesses and the public by ensuring workplaces comply with health and safety legislation. The role involves carrying out workplace inspections, investigating accidents and complaints, identifying safety risks and taking appropriate enforcement action where necessary.

You will provide professional advice and guidance to businesses, conduct investigations, issue enforcement notices and work with partner agencies to improve workplace health and safety standards across the borough.

Typical Day Overview

  • Carry out inspections and audits of commercial premises and workplaces to assess health and safety standards.

  • Investigate workplace accidents, dangerous occurrences and health and safety complaints.

  • Identify hazards, assess risks and ensure businesses take appropriate corrective action.

  • Prepare and issue enforcement notices, including Improvement and Prohibition Notices where necessary.

  • Gather evidence, interview witnesses and prepare investigation reports and prosecution files.

  • Provide advice and guidance to business owners, employees and members of the public.

  • Manage an allocated caseload, maintain accurate records and follow up on outstanding cases.

  • Liaise with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), emergency services and other regulatory bodies.

  • Contribute to health and safety campaigns, projects and initiatives.

Key Skills & Responsibilities

  • Health & Safety Enforcement: Strong knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation, particularly the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

  • Workplace Inspections: Experience inspecting commercial premises, identifying hazards and assessing workplace risks.

  • Accident Investigations: Ability to investigate workplace accidents, dangerous occurrences and complaints.

  • Risk Assessment: Knowledge of workplace hazards, including asbestos, legionella, manual handling, working at height, hazardous substances and machinery.

  • Enforcement Action: Experience preparing and issuing Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices and formal warnings.

  • Evidence Gathering: Ability to interview witnesses, obtain statements, collect evidence and prepare investigation reports.

  • Legal Knowledge: Understanding of health and safety regulations, approved codes of practice and enforcement procedures.

  • Communication: Confident communicating with businesses, employees, residents and other stakeholders, including handling challenging conversations.

  • Case Management: Ability to manage a varied caseload, prioritise high-risk cases and maintain accurate records.

  • Partnership Working: Experience working alongside the HSE, local authorities and other regulatory organisations.

Essential Requirements & Qualifications

Essential qualifications:

  • NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, or an equivalent recognised health and safety qualification.

  • Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

  • Willingness to undertake competency assessments and regulatory authorisation requirements.

Essential experience and knowledge:

  • Previous experience undertaking health and safety inspections, audits, investigations or workplace risk assessments.

  • Strong working knowledge of occupational health and safety legislation and enforcement principles.

  • Experience identifying hazards, assessing risks and recommending appropriate enforcement action.

  • Ability to prepare reports, investigation files, statements and enforcement documentation.

  • Ability to manage a caseload independently and prioritise high-risk investigations.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.