Basic Function

The successful candidate will work as part of the Ashtown Support team to co-ordinate health and safety and related tasks within the Ashtown Campus. In particular, the Co-ordinator will provide guidance and support to the onsite operating units from both the Food and Research Programmes. It will be the primary function of the Health and Safety Coordinator to support H&S activities thus ensuring that the site meets its responsibilities in these areas. In this regard, he/she will be required to monitor and advise on adherence to Health and Safety legislation and Teagasc’s policies and procedures through engagement with local management and staff. The Health and Safety Coordinator will work closely with Teagasc’s Internal Health and Safety Officers in the fulfilment of this role.

Background

The Ashtown Food Research Centre is a flagship research, training and innovation Centre within the Teagasc organisation and is pivotal in delivering its mission. Its main functions are to carry out food research and development programmes for the Irish meat, marine, prepared consumer foods, horticultural and other non-dairy sectors as well as hosting educational programmes with the National Botanic Gardens. The Centre hosts at any one time 235 staff and post-graduate students within 7 departments across its existing campus of 28 acres. The Campus is home to a Conference & Training Centre with 8 meeting rooms, a Science Lab, breakout spaces and canteen. Meetings, events and exams are held year round in this busy setting.
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act (SHWW), 2005 requires that SHWW be actively managed and all measures required ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ be taken by organisations to maintain a safe place of work. An employer has a duty to implement adequate health and safety systems and must prepare a ‘Safety Statement’ or plan for implementation of SHWW. Given that Teagasc comprises major farm operations and research laboratories this is a very important and demanding role that must be undertaken by a suitably qualified individual

• Provide guidance and information to Ashtown Safety Management System (SMS) operating unit managers on safety, health and welfare.
• Review, support and implement risk assessments and safety statements for Ashtown SMS operating units.
• Co-ordinate the onsite induction of contractors in adherence to Teagasc’s contractor management policy.
• Investigate accidents and incidents in conjunction with SMS operating unit managers.
• Assist the Internal H&S Officers in conducting biannual audits of the SMS operating units onsite.
• Attend monthly meetings to review inspection results, corrective actions and KPIs for the SMS Operating units with respective SMS Operating unit manager and Safety Representatives.
• Schedule and co-ordinate H&S training requirements onsite through:
• The direct provision of certain training courses, e.g. basic induction, manual handling and Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments.
• Co-ordination of external H&S training providers as required by the centre’s annual H&S Training plan.
• Support SMS operating unit manager safety toolbox talks, H&S training and communications.
• Administer and support H&S Software issues onsite.
• Ensure site inventories for chemical/biological agents are up-to-date on the H&S software system.
• Ensure Emergency Procedures including scheduling of drills are in compliance.
• Attend regular Campus Safety Committee meetings.
• Actively participate in the operation of open days and Teagasc events including the assessment and implementation of associated Health and Safety measures.
• Represent the Internal Health and Safety Officer in Ashtown SMS operating units.
• Report key performance indicators to the Internal Health and Safety Officer on (Near Misses, Good Catches, Corrective Action completion, Meetings held, Risk Assessments conducted, Safe Work Methods documented, Injuries and Ill health, Tool Box Talks conducted, Audit/ Checklist schedule compliance).
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion

At all levels in Teagasc, we believe in growing and keeping alive an open, diverse and inclusive workplace which is respectful to all and nurtures different perspectives, for the benefit of all in the organisation.

We are commited to the principles of 'Equal Opportunities, No Barriers, Active Inclusion'.

We actively welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.