Health and Safety Officer (Biological, Chemical and Radiation)

Training

• • Develop and implement Health and Safety training materials.
  • Documentation of training records in liaison with the deputy Health and safety Manager.
  • Conduct health and safety orientation for new laboratory staff, researchers, visitors and service engineers.
  • Conduct training needs assessment across all MLW, prepare the annual biological, chemical and radiation safety training Calendar and prepare training materials in liaison with the deputy Health and safety Manager.
  • Facilitating safety training and awareness activities, conducting employee orientations, emergency response training.
  • Contribute towards by facilitating occupational health and safety related training and awareness activities promoting healthy living and working conditions in liaison with the Occupational Health Nurse.

Risk, Hazard, and Incident Management

• • Assist with hazard identification, identify accident hot spots in the organization and advise on corrective action.
  • Conduct workplace inspections, record, and report findings for corrective action by the relevant departments.
  • Ensure incidents are reported following the MLW incident management procedures.
  • Investigate incidents, determine their causal factors, develop preventive and corrective actions and follow up to ensure the implemented corrective measures are effective and adhered to.
  • Ensure adherence to all relevant HS policies and procedures of MLW.
  • Ensure safety of MLW vehicles and equipment.

Biological safety

• • Developing Biological safety policies and procedures in liaison with laboratory and clinical management teams.
  • Ensuring the adequacy of MLW’s biosafety and biosecurity measures and for the adequacy of the advice provided to the organization.
  • Carry out or arrange to have carried a bio risk assessment for MLW laboratory, clinical and field work.
  • Coordinating activities of the biological safety subcommittee of the health and safety committee and the health and safety representatives responsible for areas where bio risk exists.
  • Respond to emergencies, investigate and report the causes of the incidents and take appropriate responsive actions.

Dangerous substances

• • Develop and oversee the implementation of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
  • Develop and implement a chemical hygiene plan.
  • Maintain and update SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and other required documentation.
  • Monitor safe usage and disposal of chemicals.
  • Monitor the quality of all procured chemicals at MLW to ensure adherence to international standards.
  • Keep record of all chemicals, their risk assessments and training records for staff using them.
  • Ensure appropriate equipment and environment is provided and used when working with dangerous substances.
  • Monitor health surveillance records and individualized risk assessments for all staff working with hazardous substances as appropriate.
  • Facilitate handling of spillages and reporting of major chemical accidents in liaison with the Environment and sustainability officer.
  • Investigate incidents associated with hazardous substances in liaison with relevant parties.

Contractor Management

• • Conduct safety induction for contractors working in the laboratories and any areas where there is risk of exposure to hazardous environment.
  • Review Safety procedures, documentation and preventive measures for all contractor work.
  • Ensure scheduled maintenance is done and timely service of biosafety equipment, review, certify and maintain all service records.
  • Inspect projects to ensure adherence to all relevant HS policies and procedures
  • Ensure prevention of release of dangerous substances to the environment due to contractors’ works.

Radiation

• • Identify staff at risk of exposure to radiation, assess the risk and ensure implementation of adequate measures.
  • Conduct training for staff at risk of exposure.
  • Ensure all features and guards meant to safeguard staff, participants and all working in the area are appropriate, provide effective protection and are not tampered with.