Back to Disciplines
Department Purpose and Contribution to Company Objectives
The Health and Safety (H&S) department exists to ensure a safe, healthy, and legally compliant environment for all employees, contractors, and visitors. It focuses on identifying and managing risks, promoting a strong safety culture, and driving continuous improvement.
Key Contributions to Company Objectives:
· Enhances productivity by reducing incidents and downtime
· Protects company reputation through strong compliance and safety records
· Cuts costs by preventing accidents and legal issues
· Boosts employee engagement by showing care for well-being
· Supports sustainable growth through risk management and regulatory alignment
Team Culture and Dynamics
The H&S team thrives on collaboration, both internally and across departments like Operations, Facilities, and Training. Communication is open, and everyone shares responsibility for embedding safety into daily operations.
Regular meetings, cross-functional projects, and shared systems keep the team connected and proactive. The culture is supportive, solutions-focused, and responsive to daily challenges.
A Day in the Life
No two days are the same in H&S. The work is dynamic and varied, ranging from audits and risk assessments to training delivery and incident investigations. Team members enjoy the pace and purpose, knowing that safety is at the heart of everything the business does.
Key Challenges
· Evolving Regulations – Staying compliant with ever-changing laws
· Engagement – Embedding a culture of personal accountability for safety
· Incident Management – Timely reporting and thorough investigations
· Resource Balancing – Prioritising effectively with limited time and budget
· Change Adaptation – Managing new risks from technologies or processes
These are tackled through collaboration, planning, and a strong focus on continuous improvement.
Expectations from New Hires in the Health and Safety Department
Ideal candidates are:
· Detail-oriented, proactive, and calm under pressure
· Strong communicators and team players with leadership potential
· Adaptable, always learning, and genuinely committed to safety
In the first 6 months, new hires will:
· Receive thorough training and site inductions
· Shadow experienced team members and support audits/inspections
· Contribute to live projects and safety campaigns
· Gradually take ownership of tasks, based on experience
By the end of their onboarding, they’ll have a strong foundation in both technical knowledge and the company’s safety culture.