Safety Officer

Job Purpose

The postholder will join the School of Infection and Immunity, MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) (http://www.cvr.ac.uk/) and will provide professional support and guidance to ensure the  safe and effective operation of the CVR. To educate and provide specialist advice and guidance to protect the health, safety and welfare of staff, students and visitors whilst ensuring full compliance with health and safety legislation and/or regulations.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Responsible for the review and development of all processes related to health and safety within the CVR.  Identify and interpret legislative developments, best practice, and guidance; update relevant staff on key changes and ensure appropriate actions are taken.

2. To provide specialist expert advice on chemical safety, in conjunction with the University Chemical Safety Adviser, ensuring that risk assessments are conducted, recorded, and reviewed regularly and any risks identified are adequately controlled.

3. Liaise with the University’s Occupational Health Unit and Facilities Teams to disseminate information relevant to CVR staff and ensure policies and procedures are adhered to.

4. Deputise, as required, for the Biological Safety Manager (e.g. by advising on lower risk activities with biological agents).

5. To monitor, organise and/or maintain safety records to ensure legal requirements are adhered to.

6. Collate and analyse management information for presenting to internal and external stakeholders. Identify areas of improvement and put forward recommendations to inform decision making where appropriate.

7. Design, co-ordinate and deliver safety inductions, training workshops, courses, and updates in areas of safety across the Centre as well as considering other communication platforms.

8. Working closely with the Biological Safety Manager, provide a comprehensive monitoring programme, including inspections and support for internal and external audits. Where applicable, assist in the preparation and coordination of visits and inspections from University services or enforcement agencies.

9. Establish procedures to periodically inspect safety specialist equipment; identify and report safety defects. Liaise with internal stakeholders and external contractors to provide and maintain safety equipment, as required.

10. Ensure that all accidents and incidents are recorded, investigated, and reported adequately. Support the University Safety & Environmental Protection Services to secure proportionate and timely follow up to health and safety incidents reported through the university system.

11. To review, develop and implement new and improved ways to current recycling processes.

12. Engage proactively with internal stakeholders. Build and maintain good communications and working relationships with personnel across the University and external stakeholders.

13. Attend and contribute to safety meetings and networking events (internal and external), as appropriate.

14. Keep up-to-date with current legislation and practices.

15. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the line manager.

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 [Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4], or equivalent in a relevant discipline/business area with evidence of continued professional development in an area relevant to the role.

A2 Willingness to attend specialist training as and when required.

Desirable:

B1 Science- or engineering-based degree.

B2 NEBOSH certificate or equivalent Health and Safety qualification; or willingness to work towards it.

B3 Knowledge and understanding of robust and effective risk management processes and their practical application within a laboratory environment.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to communicate complex information at all levels.

C2 Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to positively influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

C3 Ability to exercise initiative and work independently, but also as part of a team.

C4 Ability to establish priorities and to multi-task to deadlines, but also work flexibly to adapt to changes.

C5 Ability to interpret complex guidelines.

C6 Ability to manage conflicting interests and remain calm but assertive in difficult situations.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to investigate intricate situations arising from emergency situations or incidents.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Extensive experience working in a research laboratory.

E2 Experience in undertaking and understanding risk assessments.

E3 Significant experience using spreadsheets, databases, or other analytical tools to systematically collect, manage and analyse large amounts of data.

E4 Experience of developing and/or delivering training, and presentations to a diverse audience.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working in higher education.

F2 Experience of writing policy and guidance documents.

F3 Experience in platform design (e.g. Moodle).

F4 Experience of project management.

F5 Experience in leading inspections and/or fault reporting and tracking of remedial work.

Additional Details

This post is full-time (35 hours per week) and open-ended.

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Aude Aumeunier ([email protected]).

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.