Job Title: Fire and Safety Officer
Reference No:10.016(2022)
Department / Directorate: Estates & Facilities Management Directorate
Reports to: Occupational Health and Safety Manager

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is an exciting and dynamic place to work. The team at the Hospital are in the midst of implementing a new hospital strategy that has already delivered on the opening of a new renal unit, day surgery centre, step down facility in the community and a new ICU extension. It is an exciting time to join the TUH team and one of Ireland’s main teaching hospitals with so many plans to enhance patient care. The Hospital believes in investing in their team and offers excellent education and research opportunities.

TUH is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals, adult, psychiatric and age-related healthcare on one site. The Hospital has 450 adult beds with over 3,500 people on staff and more than 50 different nationalities represented. The Hospital is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a national urology centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, a regional orthopaedic trauma centre and a designated trauma unit.

TUH is one of the two main academic teaching hospitals of Trinity College Dublin - specialising in the training and professional development of staff in areas such as medicine nursing, health and social care professionals, emergency medicine and surgery, amongst many others. TUH is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties.

TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “ People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:

• Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
• Achieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
• Respect – for patients, each other and our environment
• Equity – for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. TUH recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.

A full overview of TUH is available on www.tuh.ie/about us
purpose of the role:
The Fire and Safety Officer position forms part of the Estates & Facilities Management Directorate focusing on quality improvement and safety for patients, staff and visitors.
The Fire and Safety Officer will be expected to play a role in the development of the Occupational Health and Safety Department, ensuring implementation of appropriate actions to achieve corporate and service delivery objectives.

The Fire and Safety Office will be responsible for fire safety and guidance pertinent to fire safety in TUH in line with legislative requirements, national standards and best practice to minimize risk and maximize safety in all matters of fire services.

overview of role:
Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure hospital compliance with fire and chemical regulations and health and safety requirements in relation to fire safety and emergency preparedness by:

• Development and continuous review of fire and chemical safety policies, procedures and guidelines required in TUH in line with legislative requirements, national standards and best practice.

• Prepare and review adequate fire emergency plans and procedures and ensure the necessary measures are in place for firefighting and the evacuation of the workplace.
• Continuous review and revision of evacuation plans as necessary and development of new fire evacuation plans as required.

• Conduct regular fire and chemical inspections and audits of places and equipment (e.g. departmental fire and chemical audits, fire doors inspection/audits, fire extinguisher inspection/audits), record and action appropriately.
• Conduct regular fire and evaluation tests/drills and record appropriately.
• Review/Audit of fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, fire suppressant systems, emergency escape lighting, fire doors, fire extinguishers, fire hose reels, fire hydrants, fire blankets, evacuation ski sheets, and all other firefighting equipment in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards and best practice.
• Investigate all fire and chemical incidents/near misses and ensure that procedures and controls are in place to prevent reoccurrences.
• Liaise with the Dublin Fire Brigade on fire safety and services for TUH.
• Investigate and report on any complaint received in connection with the service.
• Review and evaluate fire and chemical performance against agreed targets and performance indicators.
• Conduct daily/weekly spot checks for fire and chemical safety around the hospital site.

• Delivery of a robust fire and chemical safety training and education programme:

• Develop and promote fire and chemical training, safety awareness and knowledge in conjunction with the hospital learning management system, Safedoc and other IT supports.
• Be responsible for recording and monitoring of fire and chemical training and take appropriate action if gaps in training identified.
• Foster staff relationship, liaise with line managers offering advice and support on all matters pertaining to fire prevention, training/drills, fire and chemical inspections, fire evacuation procedures, fire and chemical risk assessment and fire and chemical audits.
• Record, present and action on all performance matters pertaining to all fire and chemical safety training.

• Collaborate with the Technical Services Department and Project Office regarding:

• Provide fire safety advice in relation to planning and design of new, refurbished or extension to buildings within TUH.
• Auditing escape/evacuation routes and action as required.
• Provide fire safety advice on the hospital fire alarm system in relation to new, refurbished or extension to buildings within TUH.
• Review and contribute to the activities of contractors working onsite in relation to adherence to the hot work permit procedures.
• Form part of the team responsible for approving and signing hot work permits.
• Review and contribute to RAMS from a fire safety perspective.
• Contribute to any activities relating to chemical safety in accordance with legislative requirements and best practice.

• Assist the manual handling coordinator with the provision of manual handling training for staff in TUH (QQI instructor course will be provided).

• Contractor Safety Management:

• Review and Audit Contractor Management procedures on site
• Contribute to and help develop Contractor Management policies and procedures
• When required, review and assess RAMS

• Deputise for Occupational Health and Safety Manager as required.

The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of duties/responsibilities. The role will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in order to meet the needs of an ever changing healthcare environment.
Qualifications & Experience required:
Must have:

• Level 7 qualification; Fire, Engineering or Health Science.
• Experience in fire service management.
• Knowledge in the design, construction and maintenance of buildings with particular reference to fire prevention and safety.
• Operational awareness of the Building Regulations, Fire Safety Design, Statutory Conformance and Health, Safety and Environmental Legislation.

And

• Practical experience/use of IT systems to ensure administration and record keeping is maintained in a clear, systematic and auditable method.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluent command and understanding of English language to include spoken and written.

Desirable:

• Experience in the Health Sector environment.
• Health and Safety qualification or in the process of undertaking a Health and Safety course.

Reward & Recognition

• Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 0582.
• The appointment is permanent and pensionable subject to the probation period.
• The annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
• Normal working hours are 35hrs worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.

Application process
Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at www.tuh.ie/careers by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.
All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.

Informal Enquiries to: Ms Mairead Holland Flynn (Occupational Health and Safety Manager) Telephone 087 332 6946 or email mairead.hollandflynn@tuh.ie
Closing Date: Before close of business on: 27 01 2023

TUH Core Competencies:
Please go to www.tuh/careers for details of the core competencies