Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Advisor & Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Lead
Balaena Birkenhead — with travel to other Balaena sites as required
We’re looking for a proactive and confident HSE Advisor & EPR Lead to help teams work safely and stay ready to respond when an emergency happens. From ship repair and refit to complex fabrication projects, you’ll bring practical HSE advice and emergency preparedness to a busy marine and steel fabrication environment.
This isn’t just about keeping procedures up to date. You’ll work closely with operational teams, managers and local emergency services to put plans into practice, coordinate exercises and turn lessons into action. You’ll be comfortable getting out on the shop floor, asking questions and challenging where needed — while building the relationships that help make safe working practices stick.
What will you do?
- Take ownership of developing and improving emergency preparedness and response procedures, risk assessments, operating procedures and supporting documents.
- Build strong working relationships with local authorities and the fire brigade. Coordinate emergency exercises and familiarisation visits at Birkenhead and other Balaena sites as required.
- Maintain and review site fire risk assessments, support evacuation exercises and recommend improvements.
- Give management teams practical, expert HSE advice in line with OHSEMS policies, instructions and guidance. Work with Operations and Production Directors to develop the OHSEMS and make it work on the shop floor.
- Work closely with department heads, managers and the HSE team to identify and control HSE and emergency risks, bringing practical safety leadership to day-to-day operations.
- Plan and coordinate Permit to Work activities and support production management in maintaining safe systems of work.
- Develop and deliver training, safety briefings and toolbox talks that help teams put HSE and emergency working practices into action.
- Develop investigation and assessment processes for continual improvement, ensure root-cause investigations are completed and, where appropriate, lead moderate- and high-risk incident investigations.
- Work with ship and project managers to identify, review and communicate health and safety legislative requirements.
- Get out on site to carry out safety tours and audits at Balaena, client and third-party locations. As an Area Champion, coordinate monthly inspections, identify training needs and follow through on corrective and preventative actions.
- Turn safety and emergency response performance data into clear reports that show teams where action is needed.
- Monitor and advise on the procurement, suitability and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Work with clients’ safety teams on moderate- and high-risk third-party sites and contribute to joint safety initiatives where appropriate.
- Keep your safety knowledge and competencies current through continuing professional development and networking. Bring your expertise to Safety Committee, management and project meetings.
What will you bring?
Qualifications and experience
- A NEBOSH National General Certificate or equivalent
- A full UK driving licence
- A NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent degree / calibre, or working towards one would be great
- At least 2 years’ full-time experience as an HSE Advisor
- IRCA-approved internal / lead auditor certification would be great but if you don’t have it we can take you through that
- Experience in emergency preparedness and response processes and practices
Knowledge and approach
- A proven health and safety track record in marine, steel fabrication or related sectors, with practical experience and a sound understanding of employees’ working conditions
- Knowledge of current HSE legislation
- Knowledge / experience in emergency response on high-risk sites
- Up-to-date knowledge of environmental legislation
- Up-to-date knowledge of fire safety legislation
- Confident tackling problems assertively and communicating at all levels. You’ll bring diplomacy, influencing and motivational skills, using practical advice, counsel or facilitation to guide, negotiate and persuade
- Comfortable working effectively with business management teams and production operational managers
- Proactive, enthusiastic and flexible, with a results-oriented approach and a can-do attitude
Ready to make a difference?
Apply now and tell us how your HSE expertise and emergency response experience would help build a safer working environment at Balaena Birkenhead. Help teams work safely. Strengthen emergency readiness. Make a practical difference.
