Head of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Transmission & Distribution Sector

Role Purpose

The Head of HSE is responsible for leading, developing, and embedding a robust Health, Safety, and Environmental management framework across all transmission and distribution operations. The role ensures compliance with legal, regulatory, and corporate HSE requirements while driving a strong safety culture across high-risk activities such as live-line work, substations, overhead lines, underground cables, and contractor operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the HSE strategy aligned with corporate objectives and industry best practice.
• Act as the senior HSE authority for all T&D activities, projects, and assets.
• Advise the executive team on HSE risks, performance trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Champion a “zero harm” culture across employees, contractors, and partners.
• Ensure full compliance with national HSE legislation, environmental regulations, and grid codes.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce HSE policies, standards, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Oversee audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions, including incident reporting and investigations.
• Ensure ISO management systems (e.g., ISO 45001, ISO 14001) are implemented and maintained.
• Provide HSE leadership for transmission lines, substations, distribution networks, and capital projects.
• Ensure effective risk assessments, method statements, and permit-to-work systems are in place.
• Oversee high-risk activities including working at height, live electrical work, confined spaces, and lifting operations.
• Monitor contractor HSE performance and ensure consistent standards across the supply chain.
• Lead investigations into serious incidents, near misses, and environmental events.
• Ensure root cause analysis is conducted and corrective actions are effectively implemented.
• Track and report HSE KPIs, trends, and leading indicators to senior management and the board.
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational and project-related HSE risks.
• Ensure environmental impacts related to T&D operations are identified and controlled.
• Oversee environmental management plans for construction, maintenance, and asset replacement works.
• Support sustainability initiatives, including waste reduction, biodiversity protection, and emissions management.
• Build and lead a competent HSE team across regions and projects.
• Drive HSE training, competency frameworks, and leadership engagement programs.
• Promote workforce involvement, safety leadership, and behavioral safety initiatives.
• Mentor operational leaders to strengthen accountability for HSE performance.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Degree in Engineering, Health & Safety, Environmental Science, or a related discipline
• Chartered or professional HSE qualification (e.g., NEBOSH Diploma or equivalent)
• Minimum 10–15 years’ HSE experience, with significant time in the T&D or utilities sector
• Proven experience managing HSE in high-voltage electrical environments
• Strong knowledge of HSE legislation, electrical safety standards, and environmental regulations

Desirable

• Chartered status with a recognized professional body
• Experience leading HSE for large-scale infrastructure or grid modernization projects
• Experience working with regulators and government stakeholders