Laboratory Health Safety Specialist

About the Role
The Laboratory Health Safety Specialist offers expert knowledge and skills to generate and promote a positive health and safety culture within the organization. This key role focuses on controlling occupational risk by planning, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing protective and preventive measures. The Specialist aims to minimize operational losses, occupational health issues, accidents, and injuries while conducting vital safety and health audits and assessments. This includes identifying and resolving safety and health problems and ensuring necessary changes are implemented. The role is essential in ensuring that all workforce members recognize and understand their contributions to improved safety performance. The Laboratory Health Safety Specialist will also develop and ensure the implementation of the requirements at the organization’s laboratories.

Detailed Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead in developing Laboratory Safety Manuals (LSM) for each laboratory or research function in collaboration with researchers and the Lab Safety Manager.
• Oversee and audit the implementation of safety plans in each laboratory.
• Act as the organization’s technical authority for health and safety codes, standards, and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with current health and safety legislation, approved codes of practice, and guidance.
• Stay up to date with new legislation and maintain knowledge of health and safety developments that affect lab operations.
• Prepare, monitor, evaluate, and review health and safety policy and practices, making recommendations and implementing new or revised policies and procedures as required.
• Work proactively to establish and maintain a system that promotes a culture of safe working practices across the organization.
• Train staff at all levels in safety and health responsibilities and convey Safety & Health Program expectations.
• Ensure company policies and procedures are implemented effectively.
• Provide day-to-day direct management and leadership of the Safety & Health Team.
• Ensure that individuals performing tasks that impact safety or the environment are competent through appropriate education, training, and experience.
• Develop safe operational procedures that identify and consider all relevant hazards.
• Conduct risk assessments and recommend risk reduction strategies.
• Mitigate the impact and likelihood of health and safety risks.
• Provide a working interface and line of communication with other organizations and projects for Safety & Health matters.
• Support facility users and researchers in specialized health areas (e.g., occupational exposure, ergonomics, noise, and occupational diseases).
• Participate in regular site inspections to ensure correct implementation of safety and health policies.
• Conduct audits to evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety systems and procedures, identifying and implementing corrective actions.
• Investigate circumstances and causes of accidents; take steps to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and maintain training and qualification programs and materials.
• Assist in identifying the safety training needs of facility users and researchers.
• Ensure subcontractors conduct activities affecting safety and health according to established procedures.
• Establish and implement metrics for monitoring system effectiveness.
• Prepare Safety & Health performance documentation and reports, analyzing trends such as accidents and injuries, and report performance to management and regulatory bodies.
• Utilize an issues management process for corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Notify management of significant conditions adverse to quality.
• Develop and implement a health and safety communications plan (e.g., presentations, newsletters, bulletins).
• Ensure safe installation, testing, calibration, maintenance, and disposal of equipment.
• Coordinate with Environmental Programs for the safe disposal of hazardous substances.
• Stay informed by studying trends in safety and health, participating in educational opportunities, and engaging with professional organizations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Science, Public Health, Engineering).
• Minimum of 10 years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in health and safety management.

Professional Experience

• Proven track record in delivering health and safety management systems, preferably within a laboratory, university, or medical setting.
• Extensive knowledge of effective health and safety management strategies and best practices.
• Detailed knowledge of current health and safety legislation and its application in a public sector environment.
• Experience working with senior managers and successfully managing and motivating teams.
• Experience in effective communication (verbally and in writing) with senior management.
• Evidence of continued professional and personal development.
• Experience working in a scientific, research-oriented environment (Laboratory, University, or Medical Complex).

Technical Competencies

• Environmental, Safety & Health (ESH) Technical Competence – Deep expertise in laboratory hazards, controls, and compliance requirements.
• Quality Management - Understanding of quality systems and their integration with safety programs.
• Project Management – Ability to plan, execute, and monitor safety initiatives and programs.
• Analytical Skills – Capacity to assess risks, interpret data, and identify trends and root causes.
• Written Communication – Excellence in preparing reports, procedures, policies, and technical documentation.
• Planning, Prioritization & Organization – Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex workloads independently.

Behavioral Competencies

• Personal Excellence – Demonstrates high standards of professionalism and attention to detail.
• Ability to Work Independently – Uses own initiative to drive safety improvements and solve problems.
• Professional Credibility – Builds confidence and trust through a professional approach and subject matter expertise.
• Building Strong Relationships – Works effectively in partnership and across organizational boundaries to achieve results.
• Quality Decision Making – Makes sound, evidence-based decisions in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Powerful Communication – Communicates clearly, persuasively, and appropriately with diverse audiences at all levels.
• Flexibility and Adaptability – Adjusts approach and priorities to meet changing organizational needs and circumstances.
• Problem Solving – Overcomes obstacles and develops creative solutions to complex challenges.
• Pressure Management – Copes effectively with pressure and meets tight deadlines without compromising quality.
• Continuous Self-Development – Demonstrates personal commitment to learning and professional growth.