Chemical Safety Adviser

Job Purpose Working as part of the Safety and Environmental Protection Service (SEPS), the post holder will take the lead role in providing specialist advice on chemical health and safety assisting the University to develop and maintain legally compliant standards across the breadth of its activities. The post holder will act as a competent person as specified in Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR99) and work with colleagues and partner agencies to support, promote and continually improve safety standards and culture across the University of Glasgow. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. Provide professional advice and support across the University on matters of both chemical and general health and safety. This will include active participation in the development, promotion and application of corporate strategies, policies and guidance across the University.2. Provide specialist legal and technical health and safety advice in relation to chemical safety and other related disciplines through the design, preparation and communication of policies, codes of practice, guidance and training materials. Ensure this information is promulgated via suitable routes including publication on the SEPS website.3. Liaison with staff at all levels to facilitate the development and implementation of the organisation’s health and safety policies with respect to both chemical and general health and safety. This will include (but is not limited to) Heads of School, Safety Coordinators, Safety Representatives, technical and support staff and members of the University and local health and safety committees.4. Actively participate in the development and delivery of a programme of internal audits covering health and safety management systems across the organisation acting in the roles of both lead and support auditor.5. Deliver a programme of specialist health and safety training relevant to chemical and general safety leading on the development and delivery of relevant course content both in person and online as required. This will include oversight of specialist training delivered by external partners on behalf of the University of Glasgow.6. Participate in the delivery of an ongoing programme of accredited IOSH training courses (Working Safely, Managing Safely and Managing Safely Refresher) including assessment of coursework and examinations as required.7. Advise and where necessary direct on matters affecting chemical health and safety, in particular, the design of chemical work areas, preparation of schemes of work and local rules, relevant risk assessments and the acquisition and maintenance of any required license or authorisations. Undertake on behalf of the University to coordinate and submit an annual return covering the University holdings of compounds and precursors relevant to relevant international conventions.8. Working in conjunction with other specialist staff and appointed specialist contractors provide advice and support on the safe and legal storage, treatment and disposal of chemical waste and assist in monitoring compliance.9. Advise consultants, project officers and other individuals in charge of the design, construction, modification or decommissioning of buildings and facilities on matters affected chemical health and safety and management of specialist waste.10. Identify training needs and develop, coordinate and, where appropriate, deliver relevant chemical health and safety training and promote, encourage and support the delivery of local training at School level.11. Develop and implement systems for the periodic inspection and survey of University activities, including teaching, research and support activities to identify locations where chemical health and safety hazards may exist.12. Develop and implement systems for the periodic inspection / auditing of work involving hazardous chemicals to ensure that such work is undertaken safely and in a manner that meets both legal standards and is in accordance with University policies and procedures. Prepare reports and recommendations for senior management based on inspection / audit findings.13. Cooperate with and support the University’s Occupational Health Unit (OHU) in the identification of occupational health surveillance and monitoring requirements.14. Review incidents, accidents and near misses and investigate selected incidents making written reports and recommendations on remedial action as required. Where remedial actions and incident findings may have relevance beyond the immediate area these will be communicated effectively and in a timely manner to relevant staff.15. Liaise with enforcing authorities, inspectorates’ insurers and other external agencies and provide information and assistance to them as required. Facilitate, coordinate and support inspection visits and engage with enforcing authorities to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any proposed improvements are appropriate and proportionate to identified risks. Review and comment on inspectorate reports and advice and coordinate the organisational response to these as required.16. Represent the interests of the University with external bodies and committees whose activities affect the development of legislation, codes of practice and/or policies concerning the handling of chemicals and other relevant materials.17. Maintain a detailed knowledge of forthcoming developments in legislative, codes of practice, guidance and other relevant matters of best practice affecting chemical safety. Provide advice to the Head of SEPS and to other relevant groups and individuals on the implications for these for the institution including ongoing research and teaching activities.18. Maintain expertise through a programme of continuous professional development and through liaison with colleagues working in chemical safety and in chemical research. This may include occasional attendance at selected meetings, conferences and working groups along with other relevant events. This may require occasional UK and international travel.19. Participate in the School of Chemistry Health and Safety Committee in an advisory capacity attending regular committee meetings and providing support and advice where relevant.20. Liaise with third party organisations (e.g. contractors, spinout companies) to ensure effective cooperation and communication on matters of chemical health and safety as required. Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience Knowledge and Qualifications Essential A1 An Honours degree in chemistry or a relevant similar discipline.A2 A professional level qualification in health and safety (e.g. NEBOSH National General Certificate) is required. Applicants with substantial, relevant practical experience may be considered but would be expected to successfully complete relevant qualification during their probation period.A3 Extensive, detailed knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of the management or chemical hazards. This will include being fully conversant with relevant legislation and key professional guidance.A4 Demonstrable, comprehensive knowledge of general health and safety legislation, risk assessment, risk control measures and safety management issues. Desirable: B1 Membership of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or of an equivalent professional organisationB2 Membership of a relevant scientific professional body (e.g. The Royal Society of Chemistry)B3 A qualification and/or relevant demonstrable experience as a trainerB4 A postgraduate qualification in a relevant scientific disciplineB5 Knowledge of working techniques and risk control measures in a relevant laboratory environment Skills Essential: C1 Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical materials and legal information in terms that can be understood by staff and students. Develop, write and implement policy and procedural information in a clear and unambiguous manner.C2 Excellent analytical skills and problem-solving capability with a proven ability to reach rational, balanced and practical conclusions both individually and when working as part of a team.C3 The ability to apply informed, experienced and balanced professional judgement in the planning and resolution of issues rather than reference solely to rules and regulations.C4 Credible individual with an ability to engage with, relate to and communicate with individuals at all levels of the organisation and to apply effective influence and guidance on matters of health and safety.C5 Experience in objectively and constructively investigating incidents and other unforeseen circumstances within the organisation reaching suitable conclusions with respect to immediate, underlying and root causes and identifying appropriate remedial actions.C6 Self-motivated with the ability to prioritise and manage planned and reactive workloads to meet tight deadlines and manage ongoing projects effectively with limited direct supervision.C7 A very high level of presentation skills with a demonstrable ability as a trainerC8 Experienced, competent IT skills with experience in the use of Microsoft Office and TeamsC9 An ability to work well within an existing multidisciplinary team of specialist health and safety advisers and the University’s network of School Safety Coordinators. Desirable: D1 Familiarity with simple web design and online teaching tools (e.g. Moodle, T4).D2 Previous experience of project management and collaboration with contractors and other third-party organisations. Experience Essential: E1 A proven track record of relevant, recent professional experience within a safety management or relevant technical safety role ideally within a complex, fast-paced multi-disciplinary environment.E2 Practical experience and knowledge of chemical safety.E3 Practical experience of developing, documenting and communicating health and safety policies, procedures and guidance at high level within an organisation.E4 Experience of developing and presenting safety training courses. Desirable: F1 Relevant experience of working as a chemical safety adviser preferably within the higher education or another comparable research/teaching focussed environment or a relevant analogous sector.F2 Experience of delivering IOSH accredited health and safety courses (or similar courses) and current registration as an IOSH approved trainer for the delivery of IOS Working Safely, Managing Safely and Managing Safely Refresher training courses.F3 Experience of health and auditing health and safety management systems using HASMAP, ISO 45001 or other comparable standards. Terms and Conditions Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.This post is offered on a full time (35 hours) and open-ended basis. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate. 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. 3 A flexible approach to working.