Health & Safety Officer

To identify and evaluate potential risks, advise, recommend and implement strategies and policies for the creation and maintenance of safe working conditions and practices as they relate to the operations of NIPDEC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and recommend health and safety policies and strategies for NIPDEC’s varied environments.

• Advise managers and staff regarding safety protocols and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance as mandated by NIPDEC and OSHA.

• Provide expert advice and guidance to management and staff on the planning and organization of work at construction sites and within offices, including the design of workplace ergonomics and protective equipment, as well as any other technical, systems or process-related topics.

• Review floors plans and emergency exits plans.

• Devise preventive strategies for identifying and controlling hazards to health arising from work

• Respond to emergency situations involving hazardous materials, fire/smoke incidents, vehicle and other accidents as pertains to fire and or safety.

• Investigate the cause of safety/health violations and prepare and submit comprehensive reports of findings and recommendations.

• Ensure that routine inspection at NIPDEC’s facilities and properties including work sites and undeveloped lands are conducted for compliance with general safety, health and welfare standards.

• Develop and maintain detailed manuals and or automated records including locations and inspections of all potentially dangerous areas and related information.

• Develop and submit recommendations to management in order to maintain compliance with safety/environment regulations.

• Ensure that accident and near accident investigations are conducted to maintain an environment that supports health and safety of NIPDEC staff, clients and visitors.

• Ensure that the functionality and locations of fire-escapes, extinguishers, safety gear and other safety related items are recorded and monitored.

• Coordinate and facilitate health and safety seminars and various activities to increase awareness among staff etc.

• Keep abreast with all current issues related to Health and Safety practices

• Coordinate health and safety training activities by first conducting a health and safety training needs analysis to ensure that the people in the organization get the type of training that they need, relevant to the job and the changing needs of the workplace.

• Ensure the maintenance of health education programs on lifestyles issues such as smoking, healthy eating, alcohol abuse and exercise.

• Chair meetings of the Health & Safety Committee.

• Ensure data on accidents: number of accidents, nature of injury, time loss, cost and other related data are maintained, analyzed and reported.

• Manage staff of the Health and Safety Unit.

• Perform related tasks as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor Degree in Occupational Health and Safety.

• Five (5) years working experience at a senior level in a Construction environment.

• An equivalent qualification supplemented with a certificate or diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and relevant work experience.

   

  SPECIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

   

• Sound understanding of labour laws in Trinidad and Tobago specifically the requirements of OSHA.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Good analytical, problem solving and information gathering skills.

• Competence in use of word processing and other application software.

• Highly motivated and able to work with minimum supervision

   

   

  PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

   

• Standards set in relation to the Department’s business plan, strategic objectives and budgets.

• NIPDEC’s policies and procedures.

• Established professional standards, industry best practice and statutory requirements.