Safety Specialist

ESB is a purpose led company striving to create a brighter future for the customers and communities we serve, leading the transition to reliable, affordable, low-carbon energy.   

Generation Engineering is the group within ESB Engineering and Major Projects whose contribution is to efficiently support the delivery of renewables projects such as onshore and offshore wind, solar, long duration energy storage, hydrogen production, as well as flexible thermal generation stations, site remediation and demolition projects.  

The Generation Engineering Safety Specialist Lead will work in conjunction with Generation Projects (GP) teams to ensure that the business is fully compliant with safety legislation and ESB requirements and that contractors are operating to the highest standards to ensure the safe delivery of our projects, with an emphasis on the discharge of the PSDP and Principle Designer ( UK) roles.  

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and have a track record of successfully undertaking the role of PSDP/PD on a diverse range of large infrastructure projects and to provide strategic safety leadership.  

This is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their career in this innovative area of construction which will assist in tackling climate change. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide health and safety direction and support to EMP Generation Engineering (GE) & Generation Projects (GP) multidisciplinary teams at various stages of the project development cycle.  

• Develop and monitor health and safety strategy in liaison with the Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) team through auditing and quality assurance of documentation for the PSDP (Project Supervisor Design Process), Principal Designer (PD) roles across GE & GP, ensuring these are aligned with all relevant legislative and ESB requirements. 

• Monitor review and improve the process by which the Project Supervisor Design Stage (PSDP) role and the Principal Designer role is carried out in GE and GPD. Review design risk assessments (DRAs) and preliminary H&S plans for design & construction teams and provide feedback and training to improve the quality of both the assessments and plans. 

• Identify and develop in house training on Safety in Design and the PSDP/PD role using external stakeholders or subject matter experts within EMP to build staff competency. 

• Work closely with GE design teams and/or external designers to ensure safety design coordination is carried out effectively 

• Identify hazards arising from the design or from the technical, organisational, planning or time related aspects of projects.  Where possible, eliminate the hazards or reduce the risks.  

• Carrying out contractor competency evaluations and advising on any recommendations. 

• Work closely with management and other safety specialists in leading and promoting a health and safety culture among staff and on sites. 

• To be an expert in the role as a point of contact for staff on any safety related issues to include but not limited to the role of PSDP and PD. 

Experience and Qualifications 

 Essential 

• Level 8 Qualification in Health and Safety. 

• Minimum of 7 years Health & Safety experience within the construction industry on large scale projects and have proven track record of implementing safety programs including minimum 2 years undertaking the PSDP/PD role.  

• In-depth knowledge of Safety and Health legislation, codes of practice and standards. 

• Strong Communication and Interpersonal skills.  

• Excellent influencing, leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills  

• Ability to work on one’s own initiative.  

Desirable 

• Experience of Generation Utility Construction to include Solar farm projects, Thermal projects, Onshore & Offshore Wind Farm Projects or Demolition projects 

• Principal Designer (PD) experience 

Location 

This position will be based in Engineering and Major Projects, The Sidings Building, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. Travel to site project locations is a feature of the role. 

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least two anchor days per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.  

Reporting To 

Generation Engineering Capability Assurance Manager