Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Business Partner - Fire - ML068

Job Summary

Metroline is a leading transport operator that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore based ComfortDelGro; itself one of the world’s largest passenger land transport companies.

We aspire to execute our vision that “Together we deliver safe, reliable, sustainable transport to our communities”.

Collaborating closely with the broader SHEQ team of experts and specialists, this role will actively assist, influence, and challenge operational teams to achieve enhanced assurances and continuous improvements in fire safety, compliance and strategy within the business. The individual will serve as the go-to expert and competent advice for all fire related matters across all garages and areas within the Metroline arena.

With extensive expertise and a forward-thinking approach you will enable the business to achieve its goals whilst ensuring risks are appropriately mitigated and managed. Oversight of contractor processes, statutory requirements and key legislative requirements are critical in ensuring Metroline are leading in industry,SHEQ and fire safety.

You will assist and support the implementation of simple systems and continuous engagement to enable a positive culture throughout the business offering assurance to stakeholders via competent and professional reporting mechanisms and liaison with relevant3 rd parties.

Job summary

As an integral member of the Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) Team, reporting to the Head of SHEQ and collaborating with other SHEQ Business Partners and specialists, your primary role will be to provide expert guidance, assurance, and support on fire safety and compliance matters to garages and departments across Metroline.

You will actively contribute to the development, monitoring, and review of fire safety strategies, management systems, policies, procedures, and standards. Additionally, you will deliver effective fire related safety training and coaching as needed.

Ideally, you will possess knowledge and practical experience of working in substantial and complex organisations and be able to evidence a proactive and forward thinking approach to SHEQ, Fire Safety, Compliance and related practices.

Essential qualifications include QCF Level 4 Diploma in fire safety, or CFPA Level 4 diploma, or other recognised professional qualification such as certification as an Inspecting Officer, Substantial and recent experience as a fire safety specialist, consultant or authority inspecting officer practicing fire risk assessment in a variety of large and complex premises and Extensive up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order), associated technical standards, relevant codes of practice (PAS 79) and guidance notes.

Experience in the design and delivery of Fire Safety training with a commitment to own training (CPD) and self-development

CMIOSH or working towards would be advantageous as well as a demonstrated ability to lead, persuade, negotiate, and influence. You must also possess the skills to develop realistic, practical, workable, and cost-effective solutions to enhance safety management and promote positive fire related safety Culture.

Main Purpose of the Role

Whilst this list is not an exhaustive requirement it provides oversight of the key responsibilities and purpose of the role.

• Act as the competent advice to Metroline in matters of Fire safety and compliance
• Use a forward thinking and proactive approach to SHEQ and Fire Safety enabling and encouraging positive culture across the business.
• Advise and assist all staff on matters relating to Fire Safety & Compliance within their work environment.
• Provide advice to the various management grades in how to apply their fire safety and compliance training to best effect.
• To provide assurance and advice to Metroline operational teams, to ensure legal and statutory fire safety and compliance requirements are being met.
• Engage with Garage Teams and others in matters relating to building safety and offer assurances that the built environment is fit for purpose and in compliance with legal and statutory requirements.
• Regularly report to senior management teams on fire safety and compliance performance against KPIs and improvement planning as required.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the Safety Training and coaching in collaboration and partnership with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain key relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as TFL, LFB , Fire Service etc with the overall aim of working in partnership where appropriate.
• Implement a solid understanding of statutory requirements of the estate in relation to fire safety and compliance
• Undertake audits and inspections as required to support the safety of the community within Metroline in relation to fire safety and compliance
• Produce performance reporting data including leading,lagging and benchmarking in relation to fire safety and compliance performance.
• Lead and deliver training in relation to SHEQ subjects specifically fire safety and compliance.
• Deliver high level presentations as needed on fire safety and compliance processes and initiatives.
• Work with the team to create and deliver communications on SHEQ practices to the wider Metroline community specifically but not limited to fire safety and compliance.
• Support the business in maintaining its accreditations in relation to ISO 45001,14001,18001.
• Act as the expert advice in relation to CDM activities and project oversight from a SHEQ perspective in relation to fire safety and compliance requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following is not intended to describe exhaustively the duties of the post, but to give a summary of the duties and responsibilities involved in the role and in achieving the primary purpose of the post, as outlined above.

• Assist the Director of SHEQ and the Head of SHEQ in the delivery of fire safety and compliance requirements, aims, objectives and agreements including the production and maintenance of policies, Codes of Practice, Guidance and arrangements.
• Work with the Metroline community to ensure duty holders are appropriately skilled to deliver exceptional standards of safety performance by supporting learning and challenging safety preconceptions in relation to fire safety and compliance requirements.
• Develop strong working relationships with operational and departmental teams within the business to meet the highest standards of statutory and legislative compliance and evidence-based practice.
• Support the Head of SHEQ and Director of SHEQ to empower senior leaders to instigate and take ownership of new initiatives that will create a positive safety culture.
• Support the implementation of SHEQ Integrated management systems for fire and supporting technologies to meet best practice.
• To be proactive in providing advice, guidance and support to all members of the Metroline community in relation to their fire safety responsibilities and risks.
• Support the Director of SHEQ, Head of SHEQ and wider SHEQ team in the implementation and monitoring of Fire safety policy and procedure throughout all Metroline functions are undertaken.
• Support, coach and further develop the Metroline community to ensure continuous improvement and demonstrable technical knowledge and performance against legal requirements.
• Build and maintain key relationships with operational teams with the overall aim of working in partnership to make recommendations that consider commercial considerations and regulatory and fire safety legislation.
• Ensure appropriate internal investigations are undertaken for incidents considered high risk or with high-risk potential ensuring the implementation of lessons learned to the Metroline Community.
• Work with relevant business partners and experts to ensure that suitable and sufficient arrangements for Fire, Health and Wellbeing, and Environmental considerations are in place and correctly maintained across the Metroline portfolio.
• Work with the transport safety teams to promote accident prevention and achieve proactive improvements in road safety.
• Review and assist in the creation of new and existing risk assessments for all health,safety and fire related aspects of the business.
• Support in the creation of emergency plans and business continuity plans for the depots and all other relevant areas of the business.
• To consult with Depot Staff and TU representatives as required on matters of SHEQ and fire safety and compliance requirements
• Liaise with enforcement agencies such as the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency etc and London Fire Brigade as required.
• Liaise with key specialists and managers in relation to the management of Fire safety.
• Attend meetings and Safety Committees as the competent advice and specialist in regard to SHEQ and Fire matters.
• Conduct audits and inspections etc. as required.
• Support in the planning and implementation of proactive SHEQ forums and initiatives.
• Be proactive in the provision and analysis of SHEQ data via strategic business reports for internal business areas, authorities, TfGM and ComfortDelGro.
• Providing expert advice on the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and on related legislation, guidance and information to support senior managers regarding the management of fire safety and risks;
• Providing strategic direction to the organisation, acting as principal advisor in the management of of fire safety, leading on the formulation of protocols, procedures, systems and guidance
• Responsibility for the planning, conducting, documenting and reviewing of fire risk assessments (including DSEAR) for all Metroline buildings.
• Taking a leading role ensuring that facilities for fire safety are provided for disabled staff contractors and visitors within Metroline buildings and the production of Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPS) and Generic Emergency Evacuation Plans (GEEPS).
• Internal and external liaison with appropriate services and agencies, including the management of fire risk assessments for partner organisations, ensuring consistency and making recommendations for improvement where necessary.
• Providing technical and legislative expertise and advice for capital projects during planning, consultation and the formal approval of plans.
• Facilitating external audits from the enforcing authority and undertaking planned audits and inspections of buildings, facilities and/or services, taking appropriate action or ensuring recommendations are made.
• Leading the development of fire safety training to staff and contractors, planning work, the training programme and undertaking development of the SHEQ division teams.
• Devising, documenting and reviewing emergency plans for buildings, evaluating and revising those plans where necessary.

Hours of work

38 hours per week, Monday to Friday

The Equality Act

Metroline is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with due regard to legal obligations for protected characteristics i.e. age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

How to apply

Please email your CV and a cover letter to: [email protected]

Applications should include:

• The reasons you are applying for the post
• Why you believe you are a suitable candidate
• Any relevant qualifications or experience