View Vacancy -- Fire and H&S Advisor LMS - 2050

Open Date
20/01/2023, 16:52
Close Date
19/02/2023, 23:55
MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences
MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) is an Institute funded by the MRC and is a Division of the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College. Based on the Hammersmith Hospital Campus in West London (W12), the LMS has first class facilities and provides investigators from clinical and basic science backgrounds with the opportunity to pursue innovative, multidisciplinary research within the excellence of Imperial College. For more information, visit www.lms.mrc.ac.uk.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 4
London
£32,005- £40,769 plus London allowances (£3,727 & £1,402) per annum
Permanent
Administration & Management
Full Time

Purpose of the Post:

The aim of this post is to assist the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS) Head of Lab Services and health & Safety, providing a high level of competent advice to the Director and Head of Operations of the LMS. You will support cutting edge science by monitoring and advising on health, safety and regulatory compliance issues, specifically working with LMS members and other stakeholders. The function of the role is to ensure the safe working environment at the main LMS building and in its ICTEM and Mansfield Laboratories.

It is essential that all members of the Health and Safety Department have the competence and flexibility to support the wider departmental function. In order to achieve this, post holders will be expected to work as both a generalist health and safety advisor and a specialist fire safety advisor.

Main Duties:

To act as the lead Advisor on Facilities and Fire:

  • To develop, maintain, and review the implementation of the LMS fire safety policy, fire management arrangements and fire risk assessments, on behalf of the LMS and in conjunction with the MRC Health and Safety team, as part of the process of ensuring legal compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
    To provide Fire Safety advice to Facilities Project Managers and design teams, to develop building fire strategies
  • To investigate Fire related incidents within the LMS and prepare reports and recommendations to minimize the risk of personal injury, fire and damage to property. Support the reporting of incident data within the MRC
  • To carry out fire safety audits and inspections to all parts of the LMS
  • To provide fire safety training courses for fire marshals within the LMS
  • Liaise with external fire and safety organisations and be a point of contact for relevant fire safety enforcement agencies
  • To apply and interpret specialist knowledge to give advice in line with relevant UK fire safety legislation. Taking into account a range of influencing factors such as: business need, legislative requirements and user needs
  • To act as the principal advisor to Health and Safety Groups on matters relating to fire safety, and to provide such reports as are required
  • To undertake occupancy surveys and provide recommendations on space allocation improvements
  • To maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of matters relevant to the post (including best sector practices and regulations) by means of literature searches, contacts with professional bodies, attending relevant meetings and courses

To act as a Generalist H&S Advisor: 

  • To provide highly competent Health and Safety advice to a wide range of key stakeholders on a wide range of topics
  • To create and sustain productive relationships with the research staff and use a pragmatic approach to health and safety, whilst ensuring standards and supporting research
  • To plan and prioritise work autonomously and assist other members of the team to plan their work accordingly
  • To work with the LMS safety team to devise and deliver the H&S strategy. To identify, lead on, plan and own strategies and associated plans within your responsible topic areas
  • To produce reports and action plans and to subsequently sensitively negotiate necessary actions
  • To champion and represent the H&S Department and the Head of Lab Services, and health & Safety as directed, including attending relevant meetings
  • To liaise with external regulatory bodies on behalf of the Head of Lab Services and Health & Safety, to ensure any actions are dealt with in a timely manner
  • To apply a superior problem-solving skill to complex matters, taking into account previous experience and knowledge
  • To work collaboratively with other support services to deliver integrated and efficient support
  • To conduct and sometimes lead (in collaboration with others) on fire safety aspects inspections, audits and evaluate working practices
  • To participate in accident investigations ensuring root causes are identified, that lessons are learnt and that appropriate measures are implemented in a timely manner
  • To be a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT)
  • To be empowered by the Director, through the Head of Lab Services to deal with issues of breaches of compliance and imminent danger (to life and/or property)
  • To take into consideration underlying MRC policy and requirements their application 

Key Responsibilities:

  • To carry out fire safety audits and inspections to all parts of the LMS
  • To develop, maintain, and review the implementation of the LMS fire safety policy, fire management arrangements and fire risk assessments
  • To provide fire safety training courses for fire marshals within the LMS
  • To be a member of the Emergency Response Team (ERT)

Education / Qualifications / Training required:

Essential: 

  • NEBOSH Level 3 General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent qualification eg NEBOSH General Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management or Construction Health and Safety
  • A degree or equivalent experience.
  • IFE, IFSM (or equivalent) membership

Desirable: 

  • NEBOSH Level 4 National Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety or equivalent qualification or experience or working towards completion

Previous work experience required:

 Essential: 

  • Experience of UK H&S/fire safety management systems and compliance requirements
  • Experience of working within a UK H&S/fire safety role at an organisational level including experience within an academic or research environment
  • Experience of accident/incident investigation and root-cause analysis
  • Experience of managing regulatory compliance visits and inspections
  • Experience of developing and delivering H&S training
  • Competent IT skills including Microsoft Office
  • Knowledge of common laboratory hazards as they relate to fire safety/facilities safety
  • A strong understanding of the UK fire safety and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
  • Knowledge and previous experience of carrying out building fire risk assessments and dealing with actions and recommendations arising from such assessment
  • A good understanding of facilities-related safety issues eg legionella control and the risks associated with building maintenance work eg working at height, lone/out-of-hours working

Desirable: 

  • Experience of working as a Research Scientist.
  • Experience of business continuity and/or crisis management
  • Experience of supervising and supporting staff
  • Experience of committees and committee structures

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:

Essential: 

  • Good interpersonal and negotiation skills, with an ability to engage collaboratively with staff at all levels and to change style and focus when needed including being supportive and firm but tactful
  • Demonstrated experience of working in a team and providing a focused approach
  • Ability to organise own time effectively with a flexible approach, undertaking multiple tasks whilst prioritising according to their need
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong presentation and teaching skills and an ability to promote a Health, Safety & Wellbeing culture
  • Demonstrable commitment to continual professional development

Desirable: 

  • Demonstrated ability to handle challenging situations
  • Strong leadership skills
Please upload your CV and cover letter stating why you are applying for this role.
The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UKRI) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

This opportunity is closed to applications.