Role Purpose
The QHSE Officer supports safe, compliant, and efficient operations across both facility environments (workshops, offices, site infrastructure) and R&D environments (labs, prototype areas, and test facilities). The role manages risks associated with routine operations and non‑routine experimental activity, ensuring regulatory compliance, safe equipment operation, environmental responsibility, and a strong QHSE culture.
Key Responsibilities
Health & Safety – Facilities & Site Operations
Ensure compliance with UK H&S legislation including the Health & Safety at Work Act, COSHH, PUWER, LOLER, RIDDOR, Pressure Systems Safety Regulations, and DSEAR.
Conduct inspections of workshops, plant rooms, storage areas, offices, and facility equipment.
Review or maintain Safe Systems of Work (SSoW), risk assessments, method statements, and workplace procedures.
Support contractor management: permit to ‑work‑, inductions, RAMS review, and site supervision.
Monitor workspaces for good housekeeping, ergonomics, manual handling safety, and workplace behaviours.
Lead or support incident investigations and provide corrective and preventive action follow up‑.
Lead/support ISO 45001 and 14001 Compliance & Audits
Facilitate HSE meetings/ forums
Site HSE reporting
Support contractor site permits
Administrator of Site Equipment Asset Management system
Health & Safety – R&D, Laboratories & Experimental
Conduct R&D-specific risk assessments reviews covering:
experimental hazards
chemical handling and lab safety
prototype and test rig operations
mechanical/rotational equipment
electrical/high energy‑ systems
new materials and composites manufacture
Review Risk Assessments.
Support safe design, commissioning, and operation of test rigs and experimental equipment.
Oversee chemical safety management: COSHH assessments, inventory, storage, and disposal.
Inspect laboratories, fume cupboards, LEV systems, emergency controls, and specialist R&D facilities.
Provide safety guidance on use of specialist equipment
Maintain compliance with ISO 45001
Environmental Responsibilities
Support compliance with environmental regulations and site permits.
Oversee waste management for both facility and laboratory operations:
general waste
chemical/biological waste
composite and specialised materials
Monitor environmental impacts, emissions, effluent controls, and energy usage in high consumption‑ R&D equipment.
Promote sustainable practices in site operations and experimental programmes.
Support site sustainability strategy
Conduct ISO 14001 aspect-impact assessments
Training & Competence
Deliver training covering
Facility safety rules
COSHH & chemical management
Risk management
Emergency response
Manual Handling
Provide HSE inductions tailored to contractors, engineers, researchers, students, and visitors.
Support competency tracking and refresher training schedules.
Documentation & Reporting
Maintain all HSE documentation for both facility and R&D operations, including:
inspections & audits
incident reports
equipment safety records
COSHH files
Prepare HSE performance reports for leadership and participate in internal/external audits.
Represent site in HSE forums
Administrator for site Equipment and Asset Management system, however not responsible for the execution of planned and preventative maintenance including calibration.
Skills & Competencies
Strong knowledge of both facilities based‑ HSE requirements and laboratory/R&D safety.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, facility layouts, technical documentation, and test plans.
Effective communicator capable of working with scientists, engineers, technicians, contractors, and managers.
Analytical, detail oriented‑, and able to manage diverse safety risks across multiple environments.
Proactive, influential, and confident in dynamic and innovative settings.
Meeting facilitation
Qualifications & Experience
NEBOSH General Certificate (essential).
Additional qualification or experience with COSHH, Incident Investigation, ISO 45001 and 14001, Fire Safety, Environmental Management, LOTO, or risk assessment desirable.
Experience in mixed environments such as R&D laboratories, engineering workshops, and facility operations.
Additional training such as First Aid, Fire Marshal, or spill response advantageous.
Key Behaviours
Champions safety across both routine facility operations and innovative R&D activities.
Calm, structured, and decisive during abnormal events or experiments.
Collaborative, supportive, and constructive in multidisciplinary environments.
Proactive in identifying risks, improving processes, and driving HSE culture.
