HSE Advisor at Balaena

About Balaena Birkenhead

Balaena Birkenhead is one of the UK’s most historic and respected shipbuilding and ship repair companies, with origins dating back to the early 1800s. The business has a long‑standing reputation for delivering highly complex steel fabrication projects and providing world‑class ship repair, refit, upgrade and conversion services across defence & commercial marine.

Today, Balaena Birkenhead continues to play a strategic role in British shipbuilding, working across major naval and commercial programmes and maintaining an extensive heavy‑industry site equipped with large‑scale fabrication halls, dry docks and specialist engineering facilities.

Working at Balaena Birkenhead means operating in a fast‑paced, complex heavy‑engineering environment where safety, collaboration and operational excellence are at the heart of everything we do.

Job Description

We are seeking a proactive and knowledgeable HSE Advisor to provide safety, health and environmental guidance across our operations. Using specialist expertise, you will champion best practice, support operational teams, and play a key role in shaping our safety culture across a multi‑disciplinary heavy‑industry environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as an active member of the Balaena Birkenhead Management Teams by providing expert health, safety and environmental knowledge and information.

• Support the development of Balaena Birkenhead’s strategic HSE approach in line with OHSEMS policies, instructions and guidance.

• Advise Department Heads / Managers on HSE risks and assist them in implementing effective controls and mitigation measures.

• Work collaboratively within the HSE Team to deliver practical safety leadership and adapt approaches to suit different operational areas.

• Plan and co‑ordinate all Permit to Work activities to support production management in ensuring safe systems of work.

• Regularly develop and deliver Safety Briefings (toolbox talks) to promote safe and healthy working practices.

• Develop rules, procedures and processes for investigations and assessments to support continual improvement and enhance service delivery.

• Work closely with Ship/Project Managers to ensure legislative requirements are identified, reviewed and communicated.

• Conduct or lead investigations into moderate and high‑risk incidents, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.

• Plan and undertake Balaena Birkenhead site and client/third‑party site safety tours.

• Act as the designated Area Champion for a business area, providing guidance, facilitating monthly inspections, and ensuring timely corrective actions.

• Analyse safety performance data and prepare reports as required.

• Monitor and advise on the procurement and use of PPE across the business.

• Collaborate with clients’ safety teams on key third‑party sites and contribute to joint safety initiatives where appropriate.

• Support Operations / Production Directors in the continual development and shop‑floor implementation of the OHSEMS.

• Undertake ongoing CPD and maintain up‑to‑date safety competencies.

• Attend and present at the Balaena Birkenhead Safety Committee and other management or project meetings as required.

Qualifications / Experience

Technical / Professional Requirements

NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent (or working towards) – Desirable

NEBOSH National General Certificate or equivalent – Essential

Technical Membership of IOSH – Desirable

Minimum 2 years’ full‑time experience as an HSE Advisor – Essential

IRCA‑approved internal/lead auditor certification – Desirable

Full UK driving licence – Essential

Knowledge / Experience / Attributes

Proven track record in marine, steel fabrication or related heavy‑industry environments, with strong practical understanding of operational site conditions – Essential

Knowledge of current HSE legislation – Essential

Knowledge of environmental legislation – Desirable

Strong communication, influencing and diplomacy skills with the ability to guide and negotiate at all levels – Essential

Ability to work effectively with management teams and operational leaders – Essential

Strong influencing and motivational skills demonstrated through advice and facilitation – Essential

Enthusiastic, flexible and results‑oriented with a positive, proactive approach – Essential