Title: Health & Safety Manager
Salary: £55,000 - £70,000
Based at Hemerdon Mine, ~10 miles northeast of Plymouth. No public transport to site. Own vehicle essential.
Company overview:
Tungsten West plc is a mining development company focussed on the restarting of the world-class Hemerdon Tungsten-Tin mine located in South Devon, UK. The Company is the 100% owner of the previously producing Hemerdon mine, which is currently the 3rd largest tungsten resource in the world. With demand for strategic metals, including tungsten and tin, increasing rapidly due to their critical use in new technology, Tungsten West is focussed on meeting this demand by restarting production at Hemerdon in the next 6 months.
Join the team working on the mine re-start, being an integral member throughout the project re-build, commissioning/ramp-up and into production.
Job purpose:
Tungsten West are seeking a Health & Safety Manager, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. The role will be focused on the strategic lead for all Health & Safety (H&S) activity across Tungsten West’s operations. This role is designed for someone who can build systems, set standards, and embed a proactive safety culture across a leadership team within a complex, high‑risk industrial environment. You will shape the long‑term H&S strategy, implement robust management systems aligned with ISO 45001, and ensure that operational teams are empowered, trained, and accountable.
The role is required to ensure compliance with UK mining, quarrying and construction legislation while driving a proactive safety culture throughout all operational areas.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Governance
- Champion a proactive safety culture, ensuring H&S is embedded into decision‑making at all levels.
- Lead the development and delivery of Tungsten West’s H&S strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Provide strategic guidance to the Executive Team, including risk insights, performance trends, and improvement priorities.
- Provide competent health and safety advice to senior management, operational supervisors and contractors.
- Develop and produce engaging reports on safety KPIs including LTIs, near miss reporting, training completion etc.
Leadership, Engagement & Culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop the H&S team, ensuring capability and succession planning.
- Promote a strong behavioural safety culture across mining, construction and processing activities.
- Build strong relationships with operational leaders, supervisors, and workforce representatives.
- Deliver engaging communication and training programmes that reinforce behavioural safety and accountability.
- Represent Tungsten West with regulators, auditors, and external stakeholders.
Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement
- Design, implement, and maintain H&S policies, procedures, and operational controls across all sites.
- Establish and maintain a comprehensive H&S management system aligned with ISO 45001 and other relevant standards.
- Lead internal and external ISO audits, ensuring certification readiness and ongoing compliance.
- Develop and manage a risk‑based assurance programme, including inspections, audits, and performance reviews.
- Introduce digital tools and reporting systems to improve visibility, data accuracy, and learning from incidents.
- Lead and review site-specific risk assessments, method statements and safe operating procedures.
Operational Support & Technical Expertise
- Provide expert advice on mining, processing, and heavy industrial risk controls, ensuring compliance with UK legislation.
- Oversee incident investigations, ensuring root‑cause analysis and effective corrective actions.
- Support project teams with CDM compliance, contractor management, and safe‑system‑of‑work development.
- Ensure emergency response plans, drills, and crisis‑management procedures are robust and regularly tested.
Incident Investigation & Emergency Preparedness
- Lead or oversee investigations into accidents, incidents, dangerous occurrences and near misses.
- Ensure root cause analysis techniques are applied and corrective actions are effectively implemented.
- Develop emergency response plans for mining and construction environments as necessary.
- Co-ordinate emergency drills and liaise with emergency services and regulators when required.
Skills & Qualifications:
Essentials:
- NEBOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety or the equivalent relevant experience.
- Proven experience in a senior H&S role ideally within mining, quarrying, heavy industry, or large‑scale manufacturing.
- Strong understanding of Quarries Regulations 1999, CDM Regulations 2015, mining and heavy plant safety.
- Strong track record of building and implementing H&S management systems, ideally with ISO certification experience.
- Demonstrable ability to design strategy, set standards, and drive organisational change.
- Deep knowledge of UK H&S legislation and regulatory frameworks.
- Experience leading audits, investigations, and risk‑management programmes.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and leadership skills.
- Full UK driving licence
Desirable:
- Background in behavioural safety or human‑factors‑based improvement.
- Experience in a fast‑growing or transformation‑stage organisation.
Working Conditions:
- Site-based role within active mining, quarrying, and construction environments
- Regular travel across operational areas
- Exposure to outdoor conditions, heavy equipment, noise, dust, and industrial activities
- Occasional out-of-hours support for incidents and shutdown activities
If you are interested in being part of the mine restart, apply with your CV today or contact [email protected] for more information.
Pay: £55,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- This role is based at a mine site near Hemerdon, Plymouth, with no public transport links. Do you have a driving licence and access to your own vehicle?
Work Location: In person
